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Johan Hanekom      

CEO of Askari; Sustainability & Innovation Speaker; Author of "Garage Thinking"

Johan Hanekom is a globally recognized leader in strategy, innovation, and sustainability. He has partnered with over 1,000 C-level executives across 150 international firms, responsible for nearly half of the world’s GDP. He is known for igniting a culture of innovation, building agile, autonomous teams, and driving sustainable, technology-enabled growth at scale.

A seasoned entrepreneur and proven business builder, Hanekom has launched award-winning startups and accelerated the expansion of established enterprises in some of the world’s most competitive markets. His extensive private equity experience -- ranging from early-stage Series A to later-stage investments -- has seen him play a pivotal role in transforming organizations from grassroots initiatives to global market leaders.

Beyond his executive track record, Hanekom is committed to service and stewardship. He volunteers on several boards of charities and wildlife foundations in Africa. His early career included five years in the South African Police Service and a decade of distinguished service in two British Army regiments. Academically, he studied Psychology and Criminology at UNISA and Political Economy at Kellogg College, Oxford University.

As a regular columnist for Forbes, Entrepreneur, and HuffPost, Hanekom provides thought leadership on sustainable business strategies, the future of innovation, and the intersection of technology with environmental stewardship. His insights guide leaders in forging resilient, socially responsible enterprises that thrive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Speech Topics

Garage Thinking: Building a Culture of Innovation like the Magnificent 7

In an era of exponential growth and rapid technological advancement, organizations need a ‘garage mindset’ that welcomes bold experiments, accepts uncomfortable challenges, and stays relentlessly curious. Building on personal leadership principles and the power of discomfort, this talk dives into how leaders can cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit across teams, treat constraints as fertile ground for innovation, and align people around a shared vision. Through compelling stories and interactive exercises, leaders will discover how to channel the energy of a startup “garage,” where the best breakthroughs often arise from the smallest beginnings.

Attendee Takeaways:

  • Use discomfort as a catalyst: Understand how personal and organizational discomfort triggers fresh ideas and encourages risk-taking.
  • Adopt a ‘Magnificent 7’ mindset: Learn how to rally diverse, cross-functional teams that share accountability and drive innovative projects forward.
  • Embrace experiments and constraints: Develop a culture that welcomes rapid prototyping, iterating, and pivoting—treating so-called ‘failures’ as key learning moments.
  • Foster an environment of continuous change. Learn to lead growth by staying ahead of trends and nurturing a sense of urgency about new possibilities.
  • Create a network of ‘big goals’ and big thinkers: Unite people behind bold, uncommon objectives, prompting actions previously deemed unattainable.

From Silos to Speed: Building Agile Teams for Today’s Rapidly Changing World

As change accelerates, old siloed ways of working shatter under pressure. Organizations need leaders who aren’t afraid to step into discomfort, break down barriers, and empower teams to respond quickly to evolving market demands to thrive. This talk explores how to create an agile, high-velocity culture by leveraging diverse contributors' collective strengths and harnessing personal leadership's transformative power. Attendees will learn to cultivate a sense of shared purpose, remove bottlenecks, and instill a bias toward action, turning constraints into springboards for speed and innovation.

Attendee Takeaways:

  • Break out of silos through courageous leadership: Understand how pushing personal and organizational comfort zones fosters deeper cross-functional collaboration.
  • Develop adaptability as a core competency: Learn processes and mindsets that enable teams to pivot swiftly without losing focus on overall strategy.
  • Use ‘pain points’ as motivation: Embrace problems and constraints as unique opportunities for new solutions and increased team unity.
  • Empower teams with purpose and accountability: See how clarifying goals and roles drive agility, trust, and consistent value delivery.
  • Sustain momentum in a rapidly changing landscape: Acquire techniques to maintain speed, resilience, and continuous growth over the long run.

AI as Your Co-Pilot: Empowering Human Decision-Making in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

We are on the cusp of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, where AI is rewriting the rules of competition and opportunity. But harnessing AI effectively requires human judgment, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to enter unfamiliar territory. This talk demystifies AI for leaders, illustrating how discomfort with new technologies can be transformed into a strategic advantage. By taking on a ‘co-pilot’ mentality, humans and AI can work together to drive better decisions, amplified outcomes, and a meaningful future in which technology serves rather than displaces human potential.

Attendee Takeaways:

  • Demystify AI: Gain a clear understanding of AI concepts, capabilities, and the practical ways it can enhance decision-making.
  • Reframe fear into foresight: Learn how to use the initial discomfort of adopting new technology as an access point to innovation and competitive advantage.
  • Balance human intuition with data insights: Explore frameworks for blending empathy, creativity, and AI-driven analytics to achieve superior results.
  • Lead change with authenticity: Discover methods to champion technological shifts without losing personal or organizational identity.
  • Build a future-ready organization: Develop actionable strategies to integrate AI ethically and effectively, fostering a culture that embraces innovation as a collective endeavor.

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