If Yemi Adetunji believes in something, he backs it to the hilt. He has even been known to put his job on the line for his convictions. About eight years ago, a transformation project for a consumer beverage manufacturer in Nigeria had lost its fizz. Although the project was only in its first year, with at least 12 months still to go, it seemed that an early parting of ways was likely. Adetunji disagreed and pressed his supervisor to persevere.
His supervisor agreed, albeit reluctantly–and with strings attached. "He pointedly told me that he would go ahead with the project on the condition that my career would be solely linked to the outcome," Adetunji says. "Because I was convinced that I could make a difference, I did not hesitate in accepting the challenge. The rest is history. We finished the second year with a pleased client and very good satisfaction scores."
After this success, it almost goes without saying that Adetunji not only kept his job, but moved on to new and bigger challenges.
He has no regrets about the career risk he took all those years ago. "Part of being with a company that helps to create high performance is that everyone is required to have an independent view and unwavering conviction in such views. Now, this is different from being inflexible. I believe high performance cannot be built solely on group think!"
Adetunji, who holds a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering from the University of Lagos, started his career at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC), where he did his compulsory one year's national service. He then joined Unilever as a management trainee, later becoming a maintenance engineer and then a project engineer.
After three years, he realised that as an engineer his career prospects were limited. "In searching for where to pitch my tent, I saw Accenture as a place of the best and the brightest," he says. "I did not want to become an accountant and management consulting had an irresistible attraction for me."
Since joining Accenture in 1996, Adetunji has worked on strategy and human performance for clients in the banking and commercial sector, worked in London, Holland and Oman on Accenture's global Shell SAP Blueprint team, and handled projects for Total and the NNPC in Nigeria.
His current role is as programme manager on a transformation project for the NNPC, which manages Nigeria's hydrocarbon resources on behalf of the government. Internally, Adetunji is also responsible for recruitment, counselling, scheduling and people satisfaction in Accenture's Nigerian Resources Operating Group.
This side of his responsibilities is as important to him as his client-facing role. "Often when people see and feel the desire of their leader to succeed—for a good cause, of course—they are willing to follow, and will contribute their best only when the leader takes time to coach, develop and support them."
