Thank you to the 1646 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions! I hope reading 7 Questions with
Bonisile Roberts
helps you in your leadership.
Cheers,
Jonno
Bonisile Roberts
Name: Bonisile Roberts
Title: Ceo
Organisation: Agilitee Africa
Bonisile is a investment professional and entrepreneur with over 12 years’ experience in infrastructure and project finance with a particular interest in project development and management. She spent 6 years at the Public Investment Corporation and three years across two Private Equity companies. She has successfully run two companies both in financial services and tourism. Her experience is complemented by three degrees in corporate finance and investment; the last of which is a Master of Management in Finance and Investment which was obtained with Cum Laude from the Wits University. She currently sits on the board of several companies in financial services, healthcare and property. Bonisile is also an advocate for women empowerment and strives to promote youth inclusion in management to drive innovation
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?
As a young leader having to be respected as a competent expert in my profession was difficult. As an African, one has to balance having to respect my elders and engaging with my collogues as equals.
2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?
I worked in Africa's largest Asset manager for 6 years and thereafter ventured into the jungle that is Corporate Finance where I remained as Director in my own company, servicing several clients within infrastructure and mining. in 2021 I was asked to become a co founder of the Agilitee brand, a now global EV company with a footprint across three continents.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
Thankfully I am blessed enough to be able to work from home and travel. No two days are the same so I do not have a routine that is cast in stone. I wake up and take my daughter to school and return to start a day full of meetings, strategy sessions and drafting or approving documents. I do sometimes travel to setup stores across the country.
4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?
The power of writing your plans down and holding yourself accountable for the execution thereof is greater than letting an authority figure be the one to hold you accountable. You and God are the only ones who can get the best out of you.
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
All the books released by the late Doctor Myles Monroe have had the greatest impact not only on my career and business ventures but also my personal development as well as my relationships. The books give clear and practical strategies that are simple yet powerful with long lasting impacts that surpass your time on this earth.
6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?
You are as big as your thoughts are. Do not limit your capabilities by looking at your reality as a determining factor of your destiny. You are what you think you are.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?
Being a part of a pioneer industry in the continent of Africa has both astonished and humbled me. We have had to start something from scratch with limited government or financial support and we literally paved a way for the companies that are following after us.