Hello and welcome to another episode of peopleHum’s Interview Series! I’m Anokhi Gamre from the peopleHum team. We’re an award-winning, AI-powered Human Capital Management platform, recognized globally for crafting exceptional employee experiences and driving the future of work.
We’re proud to run a thriving blog and video channel that attracts over 400,000 visitors annually. Through our platform, we share insightful conversations with thought leaders across the globe.
Today, I’m delighted to introduce our guest, Dr. Peter Akindeju.
Dr. Akindeju is a seasoned outsourcing expert and HR consultant with over two decades of experience. He is the Group Managing Director/CEO of ICS Outsourcing Ltd. He holds an MBA from Business School Netherlands (BSN) and a PhD (Honoris Causa) in Business Administration from Prowess University, Delaware, USA.
In addition to his leadership at ICS Outsourcing, Dr. Peter serves on the boards of several organizations, including Lifeworth Medicare Limited, Biopath Medical Diagnostics Ltd, Business Codes & Technologies (BCT) Ltd, Integrated Corporate Services (Ghana) Ltd, and Crystal Checks International Ltd.
Dr. Peter is an IAOP Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP), having completed the COP Master Class in Canada (2011 cohort). He is also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and a certified Director by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
Known for his commitment to ethical and sustainable business growth, Dr. Akindeju has made significant contributions to youth empowerment. His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2022 National Peace Award of Excellence as "Youth Empowerment & Equal Opportunity Champion of the Decade" and the 2022 Lead-Times Africa Leadership Prize for Accountability, Transparency, and Quality Service Delivery. He has also been recognized by the Association of Outsourcing Professionals of Nigeria (AOPN) for promoting ethical outsourcing.
Hello, Dr. Peter, and welcome to PeopleHum’s Interview Series! It’s a pleasure to have you here.
You:
"Dr. Peter, your career has spanned several decades, and you’ve held leadership roles across various industries. Reflecting on your journey, what would you say were some key decisions or moments that truly shaped your leadership philosophy? How have those experiences influenced your approach to managing people and driving organizational growth?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"Thank you for sharing that, Dr. Peter. It’s fascinating how even the seemingly small decisions or moments can have such a profound impact on leadership and team dynamics. It’s clear how your experiences have influenced both your leadership style and your approach to fostering organizational growth."
You:
"As the author of Ethical Decision Making: A Guide to Ethical Dilemmas, you’ve addressed some of the toughest challenges leaders face in maintaining ethical standards. In today’s fast-paced, results-driven world, how can leaders maintain these standards while also meeting business pressures? Could you share an example from your experience where ethical decision-making played a key role in the success or failure of an organization?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"That’s an excellent example, Dr. Peter. It really emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical integrity, even when facing significant pressure. It’s often the right long-term decision, even if it doesn’t seem like the easiest path at the time."
You:
"Shifting gears a bit, with Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, many organizations are focusing on developing future leaders. From your perspective, what are some of the most effective ways businesses can create a strong leadership pipeline? How can organizations align their mentorship, training, and upskilling programs with the unique aspirations and challenges of young professionals, particularly in the African context?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"Absolutely, mentorship and tailored development programs are crucial in preparing young professionals for leadership roles. I particularly resonate with your point about aligning these programs with the real-world challenges that today’s youth face. It’s clear that strong, supportive structures can unlock the immense potential within Africa’s younger generation."
You:
"Turning to HR, organizations in Africa face several unique challenges around talent retention and employee engagement. In your view, what do you believe are the top three HR challenges organizations are currently grappling with? How can HR leaders adjust their strategies to address these challenges while ensuring sustainable growth?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"Your insights are spot on, Dr. Peter. The challenges you’ve highlighted are certainly at the forefront of many organizations' minds. It’s clear that adapting HR strategies to balance both employee expectations and business needs is essential for long-term success."
You:
"AI is making tremendous strides in transforming HR processes, and I’m particularly interested in how Nigerian companies might leverage AI to improve employee experiences. What do you see as the main opportunities and challenges in implementing AI in HR, especially when it comes to ensuring that AI integration doesn’t negatively impact employee engagement or job satisfaction?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"Indeed, striking the right balance with AI is critical. AI offers great potential to enhance efficiency and personalize employee experiences, but as you pointed out, it’s essential that it’s implemented thoughtfully to maintain that human connection. AI should complement, not replace, the core elements of employee engagement."
You:
"Finally, Dr. Peter, given your vast experience in leadership and business strategy, what advice would you give to young leaders who are striving to balance innovation with tradition? How can they drive meaningful change within their organizations while staying true to their core values and fostering a culture of integrity?"
Dr. Peter responds.
You:
"That’s an insightful point, Dr. Peter. Striking the right balance between innovation and tradition is indeed crucial. As you’ve said, it’s about driving change while remaining anchored in an organization’s core values. Leaders need to create a culture that embraces innovation, but without losing sight of the principles that sustain the organization."
You:
"Dr. Peter, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and expertise with us today. This has been such an enlightening conversation. It’s clear that the workplace is evolving in so many ways, and discussions like these help us navigate these changes meaningfully."
"Once again, thank you for being part of PeopleHum’s Interview Series. It’s been an absolute pleasure having you here."
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