Build the People

From Self-Driven to People-Driven: The Leadership Transition No One Talks About (Charl de Villiers)

Most leaders rise through the ranks by being self-driven. Few talk about the real challenge that comes next: learning to lead through others, not just yourself. Charl de Villiers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charl-de-villiers-5209681/] learnt this early, and mastered it. As CEO of Libstar, one of South Africa’s largest food manufacturers behind brands like Lancewood and Cape Herb & Spice, Charl transformed from a strong, independent achiever into a leader who united 7,000 employees across 27 previously competing business units. In this conversation with Christiaan van den Berg, Charl shares how he evolved from a self-motivated leader into one who empowers, unites, and builds people, and why that shift is critical for anyone leading at scale. You’ll discover: 1. Why empowering people starts with painting what good looks like, then letting them find their way there 2. The value (and risk) of radical transparency inside large organisations 3. How Charl’s “One Libstar” vision turned 27 autonomous units into a collaborative, united group 4. Why the hardest leadership lesson is to make the tough calls sooner 5. How Libstar is building resilience and long-term growth despite South Africa’s challenges 6. Why great leaders work to build businesses that outlive them For CEOs, people leaders, and anyone navigating the shift from doing to leading, this conversation shows what it really takes to lead with purpose, humility, and conviction. Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/3XrkaX7]. Build the People is proudly brought to you by JOBJACK [https://bit.ly/4ikKsT2], a smart hiring platform that eliminates manual recruitment tasks, helping businesses find, filter, and hire the best entry-level talent, fast.

Inside KFC Africa: Building People, Leading Boldly, and Failing Forward (Akhona Qengqe)

How do you scale a leadership philosophy across 40,000+ people when your secret weapon is asking "What if we failed?" In this episode, Christiaan sits down with Akona Qengqe, General Manager of KFC Africa and the brand's first Black female GM for the continent. From running 1,468 restaurants across sub-Saharan Africa to creating the groundbreaking "Fail Forward Award," Akona reveals how a middle child's curiosity became the leadership philosophy behind one of Africa's most successful food empires. This isn't your typical corporate success story. It's a masterclass in leading with questions instead of answers, and building people before building profits. For leaders building teams, scaling culture, and wondering how to develop people at continental scale, this conversation will change how you see potential in everyone around you.  Listen to learn: 1. How to create recognition systems that reward bold experimentation (and failure) 2. The practical framework for matching people to their strengths at scale 3. How to build your career by asking "why not?" instead of accepting "no" 4. The power of future-focused journaling to manifest leadership outcomes 5. When to lead from behind vs. front and how to flex between leadership styles 6. How to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities with the "for me" mindset - Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/3XrkaX7]. Build the People is proudly brought to you by JOBJACK [https://bit.ly/4ikKsT2], a smart hiring platform that eliminates manual recruitment tasks, helping businesses find, filter, and hire the best entry-level talent, fast.

Why Pineapple Insurance Is Winning (And What Leaders Can Learn From Their CEO, Marnus van Heerden)

Most CEOs talk about building culture. Marnus van Heerden is actually doing it. As Co-Founder and CEO of Pineapple, South Africa's fastest-growing InsurTech, Marnus has scaled from startup to 140+ employees and R400+ million in funding. But here's what makes this conversation different: He did it by leading with love, demanding radical responsibility, and creating what he calls "superior discontent." This isn't your typical founder success story. It's a raw, honest dive into the messy reality of scaling a company without losing your humanity, or breaking your people. Marnus reveals: * The mindset shift from motivating employees to creating owners * The neuroscience behind why most leaders burn out (and how to avoid it) * His counterintuitive approach to "superior discontent" that drives performance * Why love isn't soft, it’s the hardest leadership skill to master * The OKR framework that helped Pineapple consistently beat their goals * How cold showers and radical honesty keep him grounded as a leader If you're building a team and wondering how to push for excellence, this conversation will change how you lead. - Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/3XrkaX7]. Build the People is proudly brought to you by JOBJACK [https://bit.ly/4ikKsT2], a smart hiring platform that eliminates manual recruitment tasks, helping businesses find, filter, and hire the best entry-level talent, fast.

How McDonald’s SA Scales People-first Leadership (Greg Solomon)

What does it take to lead 15,000 people without losing your values? In this episode of Build the People, Greg Solomon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-solomon-lead/] reflects on his 28-year journey with McDonald’s South Africa, from starting as a project manager to becoming CEO and growing the brand into a national icon. We dive into: 1. Why leadership starts with leading yourself 2. How to build trust, earn respect, and scale culture 3. The power of developing people from within 4. Making decisions in tough times like C-19 and load shedding 5. Building relationships that last beyond the boardroom Greg shares timeless wisdom for anyone trying to grow a team, a business, or themselves, with integrity, discipline, and heart. - Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/3XrkaX7]. Build the People is proudly brought to you by JOBJACK [https://bit.ly/4ikKsT2], a smart hiring platform that eliminates manual recruitment tasks, helping businesses find, filter, and hire the best entry-level talent, fast.

Culture Over Convenience: The Bootlegger Leadership Story (Ricky Ruthenberg)

How do you build a brand that customers love, and a culture your people stay loyal to? In this episode, Christiaan van den Berg sits down with Ricky Ruthenberg, CEO of Bootlegger Coffee Company, to explore the leadership lessons behind one of South Africa’s most recognisable coffee brands. From growing up in Cape Town's restaurant scene to helping Bootlegger expand to over 77 locations nationwide, Ricky shares the pivotal moments, people-first principles, and hard-won wisdom that shaped his journey. For South African CEOs, and people leaders building for the long haul, you'll walk away with key insights on: * Why culture beats convenience in scaling a business * How to hire for character, not just experience * Building simple, focused systems that drive consistent growth * Leading with empathy while staying true to your standards * Creating spaces and teams where people genuinely want to stay - Connect with Christiaan van den Berg on LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/3XrkaX7]. Build the People is proudly brought to you by JOBJACK [https://bit.ly/4ikKsT2], a smart hiring platform that eliminates manual recruitment tasks, helping businesses find, filter, and hire the best entry-level talent, fast.