The Parallels Podcast: Gary de Vogel’s Inspiring Rise and Candid Tales from the African Frontlines

At the young age of 27, Gary de Vogel MSc exceeded expectations by working his way to becoming the CEO at HI-TEC SA , a prominent brand on the African continent. Born with a cognitive condition that endowed him with 20% more brain capacity, Gary faced social ostracization from an early age, frequently expelled from school due to his disruptive intellect.?

His relentless determination earned him a scholarship to pursue higher education. It was during these formative years that Gary found himself seduced by the allure of a high-pressure corporate "cult." Obsessed with rankings, lavish perks for top performers, and a ruthlessly competitive culture, this environment both equipped Gary with critical skills and extracted a heavy physical and mental toll.

"I was addicted to that high-performance culture up to a level that my mom thought she’s going to bury him at a very young age," Gary candidly recalls. Sleep deprivation, excessive caffeine, and sacrificing all holidays became the norm as he ascended the ranks.

It took a startling incident – a colleague choosing the company over his marriage after an ultimatum from his wife – for Gary to realize the need for balance in his life. "Life should be a little more in balance. You can have a high-performance, maybe underperformance, but a little more in balance – not 24/7 one thing where you can't actually enjoy what life's been made for."

A Fateful Encounter?

In a stroke of serendipity, Gary's trajectory took an unexpected turn during a spirited interview with Hi Tec’s founder, Frank Van Wezel. Despite Gary's initial dismissal of the opportunity, the company's palpable energy and Wezel's unconventional hiring approach won him over instantly. "He looked at me, he said, 'Where did you study?' I said, 'I went to Nyenrode Business Universiteit , sir.' He says, 'You're hired, gentleman. We'll wrap it up with the paperwork. See you next month,' and he walked out."

This marked the beginning of Gary's transformative journey at HI TEC, where he has since implemented a people-centric leadership philosophy rooted in his life experiences.

The Resilience Forged in Childhood

Two defining events in Gary's youth instilled an unbreakable resilience that continues to shape his character: the harrowing ordeal of a cousin falling victim to cocaine smuggling, and his father's untimely passing from cancer.??

"I cried about my dad's passing, the birth of my child, and something that happened towards my sister – those are the three happenings that I cried. I can count them on one hand," he solemnly reflects.

Far from succumbing to despair, these trials fueled Gary's determination to create a life of stability for himself and his family. "That's where it fueled, and that's where it initiated. And then I just kept on pushing and pushing."

An Authentic, People-First Approach??

Today, Gary exemplifies a leadership style that prioritizes empowering and understanding his people. He's militant about connecting with every employee daily, knowing details about their lives, families, and any struggles they may be facing.

"Somebody came to my office and said, 'You know what, there's a lot of people that tell me that's their highlight of the day – that the CEO is not in an ivory tower. He's there in the trenches with us.'"

This approach extends to fostering a fear-free culture where failures are opportunities for growth. "They have no fear of failure. I think that just escalated, and we knew from our vision that we had a lot of things to change."

Under Gary's stewardship, HI TEC has undergone a transformative reinvention – shedding its outdated image and positioning itself as a dynamic, future-forward brand. "We grew three times in a very short amount of time from 2020 till now. Now we've fixed the business; now it's maintaining it."

The African Odyssey: Triumphs and Tribulations

With a wealth of experience navigating Africa's complex business landscape, Gary doesn't mince words about the challenges and risks – including his own harrowing tale of being held hostage in Uganda.

Yet, he remains optimistic about the continent's boundless potential: "I think professionalization is happening everywhere. The population is hopeful, Africans just want a normal safe haven, a working country – it doesn't matter who or what or how. They just want it to work."

From securing a major 15-year deal in the often-misunderstood nation of Algeria to witnessing the rapid emergence of modernized retail chains across the region, Gary sees Africa as the final frontier for globalization – a land of immense opportunity for those willing to embrace the inherent risks.

A Loving Ode to South Africa

For Gary, South Africa holds a special allure – a perfect amalgamation of natural splendor, vibrant culture, and Ubuntu philosophy. "You have everything in the world on your doorstep," he beams, praising the incredible value, warmth of people, and insatiable hunger for progress.

"The population is united as far as it can get. They're embracing a lot of their differences in cultures. They know that the country needs to build up," he adds. Though he sees room for improvement in leadership, Gary has wholeheartedly embraced South Africa as his home, a place where he's raised a family amidst the richness of the nation's spirit.

As the conversation draws to a close, one senses Gary De Vogel's palpable excitement for the future – a future where visionary leaders can unlock Africa's boundless potential and propel the continent towards a new era of sustainable growth and prosperity. His journey from a misunderstood wunderkind to a progressive CEO blazing new trails is a testament to the resilience and authentic leadership Africa needs to rewrite its narrative.

Find the full podcast here : https://linktr.ee/TheparallelsPodcast