Nobody’s perfect. What quality or ability do you wish you had?
We live in a complex world and each day is filled with threats and opportunities. The ability to see life in its fullness, and especially the ability to really understand our world with full wisdom, is something I place a lot of value on. It is a quality I am continuing to strive for; a lifelong pursuit.
What is the best business book you have ever read, and why?
I still value the lessons from The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino. The focus is on individual qualities, and it is presented in a realistic and practical way. The message of building lifetime qualities one step at a time is not common these days, but this is a required characteristic for sustainable progress and success. The book looks at creating a mindset of dealing with complexity in a conscious and measured way.
Someone you would most like to have met, living or dead, and why?
George Soros: he has an incredible intensity and consistency about the role of business and its impact on society. His personal sacrifice in giving his fortune to change the world has been truly exemplary. Soros shows that business success can be used as a force for good, and his ability to remain committed to social change over such a long period is remarkable.
What do you consider to be your major achievement (in life or business)?
Developing the vision and subsequent launch for Discovery Insure and taking the steps to get the funding from Discovery Holdings was a long road that required staying power. It could be compared to long-distance running, where after running past 70 kilometres, you keep going even when the body wants to give in. It was a true test of endurance and I consider it to be a major achievement in the face of incredible adversity.
Who or what do you think is overrated?
Sleeping and food. A lot of time spent sleeping and eating could be better spent on other things such as keeping healthy and being productive. I see food as a necessary part of living in the same way that we have to sleep; but it is no more important than taking care of the family, or other aspects of daily life.
What mistakes have you made (professional or otherwise), and what did you learn from them?
Pushing too hard and not giving up easily: the inability to let go of an idea is something that can produce both amazing outcomes and disastrous consequences. A true test of leadership is self-governance, which requires a strong sense of sanity, i.e. being able to hold two opposing views in your mind while continuing to function optimally.
Which one piece of wisdom would you pass on to your successor?
It's not about what people think. You must have a strong moral compass to guide you when the going gets tough.
Who has been your inspiration professionally?
Dina Dinanath, my friend and mentor since 1998. Dina was able to take me seriously despite my naïve view of the world (that is, my belief in seeing possibilities even in the face of problems). And Adrian Gore and Barry Swartzberg: their blind faith at the inception of Discovery Health in 1992 has inspired my belief that there are many more opportunities to be cultivated and realised.
How would you like to be remembered after your retirement?
I do not believe in the concept of retirement. I am of the view that some of the old proverbs about bearing fruit in old age were founded on incredible wisdom. Retirement does not exist to those who have found their calling. I would like to be remembered for making a difference, both to my family and the societies where I find myself, and I have chosen business to help me achieve this.
Do you have a quote or motto you live (or work) by?
Opportunities do not go out looking for people; people go out looking for opportunities. There are plenty of opportunities in life, be prepared to see them and respond to them.
Themba Baloyi is executive director of South Africa-based Discovery Insure. Themba joined Discovery in 2001 and has held a number of positions across the company. It was during his time in the Strategic Projects department that he imagined, explored and ultimately got support for a short-term insurance project which led to the launch of Discovery Insure. www.discovery.co.za
