Two weeks ago, I received a call that would change my perspective on entrepreneurship and life. The caller informed me that Vusi Thembekwayo, one of the world’s leading global speakers, investors and entrepreneurs, was coming to the UK. He will be speaking at a conference my company was organising this October. The caller thought it would be beneficial for us to meet and asked if I’d be willing to spend time with Vusi during his stay in London, assisting him with his activities.
Now, if you know me, you’re aware that I’m a Vusi fan—not just because of his videos online but because of the excellence that lies behind the persona many of us have come to know and celebrate.
After discussions with my family and friends, I agreed to take this opportunity. Seventy-two hours later, my mindset on many things has shifted. I unlearned and relearned even more than possible in three days.
Here’s what I learned following the enigma that is Vusi Thembekwayo:
Believe in the infinite or the existence of God and don’t toil with it:
There was a clear display of Vusi’s rooted faith in God. There were no “what ifs”. As I reflect, I now understand what that truly means. As we grow mentally, financially and physically, we’re more likely to be exposed to the idea of “us alone”. Thinking that we are here for no reason and forgetting to reference God’s mercy is a big mistake. There’s nothing you can achieve without God looking out for you.
Many people believe that “looking out” only means blessing you with opportunities and giving you the spotlight. But amid that spotlight, your enemies can see you and all you are, whilst there’s little ability on your side to see them.
Why? Because the spotlight blinds.
If you want to excel whilst being protected and covered, you must believe in an infinite being; for me, that is God through His son Jesus Christ.
Practice:
- Start each day with a moment of gratitude, acknowledging a higher power.
- In times of success, pause to reflect on the unseen forces that may have contributed to your achievements.
- When faced with challenges, seek guidance through prayer or meditation.
The efficiency of systems is built on people
From day one up to day three, there was impeccable efficiency in the system around Vusi. Every activity was documented with time allocation, and nothing was left to chance—it was all a result of careful execution. For that system to work, you need just the right hire. And the “right” doesn’t mean an incredibly experienced person, but someone who believes in the vision enough to be ready to go to war with you.
As entrepreneurs, we often think processes are what “systems” are. However, “systems” are just the right people who elevate your success and efficiency by providing you with the guidance needed to succeed.
Practice:
- Evaluate your current team. Are they aligned with your vision?
- Invest time in team-building activities that reinforce your company’s mission.
- Create documented processes that your team can follow and improve upon.
- Get out of their way.
Focus on what you know:
I have advised entrepreneurs to do many things because they do not have the money to hire everyone. Whilst that is true, I realise it’s only partly true. To truly excel, you need to recognise what you are good at, get out of the way of others to do the rest, and grow as one.
Vusi is impeccably conscious of his ability to envision, communicate and strategically lead, but he leaves the rest to the professionals to deliver the other elements of their businesses. Delegation is an “art”, but it’s far more essential to build that culture early than to wait as a founder.
Practice:
- List your core strengths and the areas where you add the most value to your business.
- Identify tasks that drain your energy or time and consider delegating or outsourcing them.
- Regularly assess your role in the company and adjust as the business grows.
Only solve a problem once:
The notion of solving a problem once seemed quite strange at first. But as I rode the train back and thought deeply about this, I realised how much truth there is to it. If you have a problem and cannot solve it once, it means one of two things: 1. You don’t know what the cause of the problem is and how to solve it, or 2. You do not have the required information or resources to solve it. Either of the two sits not with the cause of the problem but with you.
Practice:
- When faced with a recurring problem, spend time analysing its root cause.
- Create a knowledge base or system to document solutions to problems as they arise.
- Regularly review and update your problem-solving strategies to ensure they remain effective.
In just 72 hours with Vusi Thembekwayo, I gained insights that will shape my approach to business and life for years. It’s a testament to the power of surrounding yourself with visionary thinkers and being open to new perspectives. Also, it is crucial to remember that growth often comes from challenging our beliefs and embracing new ways of thinking while being cautious of the dangers of that exposure