Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

July 1, 2025

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm by leveraging The Triple Win Method.

The One Question 85% of Early Professionals Never Ask

Howdy ,

A while back, I was invited to speak with a group of junior staff members in a company. Most of them had less than 5 years of experience under their belt.

I got asked a lot of questions that I wish I had been able to ask when I started out.

One of the things that bugs the minds of people starting their careers is how they can move faster.

In simple lingo, they want to get promoted as fast as possible. No need for the waiting game.

This is something I am more than willing to oblige in sharing.

Let me explain.

The Invisible Work Trap

Most early career professionals fall into what I call the "Task Trap." You focus on doing work instead of delivering value. You measure success by hours worked, not impact created.

Sound familiar?

Here's the thing: Good work without visibility is invisible work.

And invisible work doesn't get you promoted, recognized, or valued.

Don’t get stuck in this exact trap. Creating beautiful reports. Staying late. Working harder than everyone else. But your work is having zero impact on the people who matter.

Today, I hope I will get you to understand the one question that can change everything.

Think of it as the “One Ring to Rule Them All.”

Yes, that’s me. I just had to drop a “Lord of the Rings” reference.

Now, back to your regular scheduled programming.

The Service Play Question

Before every deliverable - every email, every report, every presentation – Can you ask yourself:

"Beyond just meeting requirements, how can I make this result reduce stress for my stakeholders?"

That's it. One question.

But let’s look at what can happen when you apply it:

Before: You would send a report with the subject line "Weekly Marketing Analytics - June 2025" with a 15-page PDF attached.

After: You would send the same data with the subject line "3 Key Wins + 1 Action Needed: Marketing Performance Update" with a one-page summary highlighting exactly what your boss needed to know and what decisions needed to be made.

Same information. Completely different impact.

The Three Levels of Value

Here's what most people don't understand: There are three levels of value you can deliver in any task:

Level 1: Functional Value - getting the job done right. This is the baseline. Everyone should operate here.

Level 2: Emotional Value - reducing stakeholder anxiety. This is where you start standing out.

Level 3: Transcendent Value - creating lasting impact beyond the task. This is where you become indispensable.

Most people stop at Level 1. You need to learn to consistently deliver Level 2, with touches of Level 3.

What can you expect?

You will likely get specifically requested by the higher-ups on high-visibility projects because working with you is "stress-free and strategic."

Your Reset

Today, I want you to look at one piece of work you're currently doing.

Before you submit it, ask yourself the question: "Beyond just meeting requirements, how can I make this result reduce stress for my stakeholders?"

Maybe it's adding a one-line summary at the top of your email. Maybe it's highlighting the key decision points. Maybe it's anticipating their next question and answering it proactively.

Small shift. Massive impact.

Because here's the truth: Your stakeholders don't just want good work - they want work that makes their lives easier.

When you consistently deliver that, you stop being just another task-doer. You become someone they can't afford to lose.

What You Will Discover

This question is just the beginning for you. It will open your eyes to a whole system of strategic thinking that will transform not just your work, but how others perceive your value.

Join me this Saturday for "The First 5 Years: Building Your Early Career Edge" masterclass, where I'll share the complete transformation system and give you the tools to implement it immediately.

July 5th, 2025, and the time is 6 pm WAT, 12 pm EST, 5 pm GMT, 7 pm WEST

The best of all, it’s free. Consider it as my investment in your future career success.

Because honestly? If one question can do this for you today, imagine what the complete system could do for your career.

As always, keep winning at work and in life

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor

Sign up for "The First 5 Years Masterclass"

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Want to get in on some of the lessons I have picked up in my career? Get my eBook "21 Lessons I Learned in My Career - A Primer to Help You Become Better at Work". Get it here

Do you work in a new country, or does your work involve working with people outside your country? Get my acclaimed book "Winning Beyond Borders: Achieving Success at Work in a New Country". Get it here

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