JOHANNESBURG – Discovery Group CEO Adrian Gore has taken the hot seat in this year’s edition of The Chairman’s Conversation with founder and Executive Chairman of SHILUMANA Group (formerly MSG Afrika) Given Mkhari, hosted by Power 98.7 in partnership with eNCA.
The event, which brings together some of South Africa's most influential figures, saw Gore unpack his philosophy on leadership, attitude, and the role of business in rebuilding South Africa.
The discussion opened with Gore reflecting on his relationship with the late former Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, who once served on Discovery’s board, describing him as a man who was 'intellectually curious', spoke his mind and cared for the success of the business as a board member.
It was this that paved the way for the conversation on leadership within Discovery in itself.
Speaking from Discovery's headquarters in Sandton, Gore, a man Mkhari described as disciplined, shared insights on the leadership principles that have shaped the company's global success.
'We hire super smart people. The entire value system is not rules, but getting the right people with the same values and purpose and letting people with those confidence bands do brilliant things.'
'The core of our business is liberating the best of our people, and I believe there is greatness in everyone. I am focused and disciplined, but I am not a command-and-control leader,' he said.
Gore went on to explain how true leadership is not about hierarchy but about driving purpose.
'I do not believe you manage people with complex problems with command and control. You have got to facilitate values. I hold the strongest view that attitude determines where you end up.'
Delving deeper into his belief system, he added:
'I have this strong belief that there are fundamental issues that happen, and you have an attitude about it. I have the opposite view. Attitude drives the reality. Attitude is understanding that things are solvable, opportunities are there, and you must take them. I am a great believer in personal agency. You have the ability to determine your own agency, which is attitudinal.'
When the discussion turned to South Africa’s problems, Gore did not shy away from issues including corruption, unemployment and sluggish economic growth.
But he warned against what he called the ‘declinist mindset,’ where one accepts that the country is doomed.
'I do not underrate the challenges faced by the country, but you have to be rational about the issues you face. When facing issues of difficulty, I believe in agency. It’s tapping into the notion of fixing, being an activist in dealing with them, moving from them, and addressing them. That process of decline in itself makes you paralysed and takes you down the road that is dark and unsuccessful.'
Mkhari challenged him on whether corporate South Africa has done enough to rebuild public trust, especially as ordinary citizens watch political scandals and mismanagement of funds unfold in plain sight.
Gore acknowledged the frustration but said business leaders are stepping up, citing partnerships with government that aim to stimulate growth and create jobs.
He pointed to initiatives such as the CEO Pledge, where top executives have committed to restoring confidence and driving investment in the country.
'The partnership with government is about growth, jobs and narrative. Creating economic growth because that leads to jobs. Growth in jobs creates confidence and that alternatively drives investment.'