Workplace Multiplier by Tola Akinsulire

July 6, 2026

Welcome to the Workplace Multiplier newsletter. Published Monday to Friday, equipping you to achieve your professional goals faster and without burnout or overwhelm.

The trust you build isn't there to make demands painless

Howdy ,

Most leaders think they have two options.

Be nice, and standards slip. Push hard, and people resent you.

There's a third option. Most leaders skip it, because it's slower: build the relationship first, then use it to demand more…not instead of demanding more.

Here's the truth nobody tells you about relationship capital.

It doesn't remove the sting of a hard conversation. It just means the person trusts you enough to stay in the room when it stings.

That's the whole game. Not comfort. Survivability.

This week, I'm walking you through what that actually looks like.

Including a recent exchange with my own team…the version that worked, and the version that still hurt even though the relationship was strong.

Keep winning at work and in life.

Tola Akinsulire

Your Strategic Workplace Mentor