Willem Gous - The Future of Human Adaptability

Founder at The Human Entrepreneur

Johannesburg, South Africa

Entrepreneurial Thinking is the Ultimate Tool for Human Adaptability.
It empowers anyone to stay calm in disruption, take clear action in uncertainty, and turn challenges into new opportunities in life or business.

Willem Gous is a global expert in entrepreneurial thinking as a powerful tool to develop adaptability, resourcefulness, and innovative thinking within individuals, employees, and businesses. He helps to future-proof companies by equipping people to stay calm in the face of disruption, act with clarity under pressure, and create value even in uncertain environments, making innovation part of the business's DNA.

With over 25 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship, Willem delivers practical frameworks that shift how people think and work. His signature model, the Indivineur Thinking Compass, activates five core principles that unlock adaptability, resourcefulness and internal locus of control in organisations.

Willem holds a Master’s degree from the University of Liverpool, was named Startup Mentor of the Year 2023, and ranks as a Top 50 Global Thought Leader with Thinkers360 in Lean Startup and Careers.

Offstage, he is a single father and certified firewalking instructor, proving that the right mindset and preparation make anything possible.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Available globally.

Willem's Most In Demand Keynotes and Workshops

1. The Future of Human Adaptability:
How to Lead, Thrive, and Expand Possibility in a World of Disruption

A practical, visionary framework to turn uncertainty into momentum. Learn five core principles that activate human potential in times of disruption. This talk equips individuals and teams to stay calm, think clearly, and create new opportunities—no matter how unpredictable the world becomes. You don’t just survive the future. You shape it.

This is perfect for:
- General public facing life disruptions
- Business leaders navigating the impact of AI and economic volatility
- Mixed workforce events (all levels)
- Employee well-being
- Organisational transformation and future-readiness

The audience will leave with:
- A practical understanding of how to develop adaptability, resourcefulness, and innovative thinking using entrepreneurial thinking
- A clear method (the Indivineur Compass) to stay calm, take action, and create opportunity in the face of uncertainty
- A new mindset that sees AI and disruption not as threats, but as tools that can be used to grow, lead, and make a bigger impact

2. Outlearn and Out-Earn Your Competitors:
Your Guide To Building Teams That Adapt Faster And Perform Better

Embedding entrepreneurial thinking principles (indivineur compass) in teams and departments for faster adaptation and innovation to market and technological shifts. Teams develop the ability to outpace the competition while making innovation an integral part of their business's DNA.

This is perfect for:
- C-suite and executive board members
- HR directors and L&D professionals
- Change and Innovation management teams
- General staff transformation

The audience will leave with:
- A practical understanding of how to develop adaptability, resourcefulness, and innovative thinking using entrepreneurial thinking
- A clear method (the Indivineur Compass) to stay calm, take action, and create opportunity in the face of uncertainty
- A new mindset that sees AI and disruption not as threats, but as tools that can be used to grow, lead, and make a bigger impact

3. Find Your Rhythm of Success:
Your Practical Guide To Building Consistent Momentum And Achieving Results

Identify the right daily actions, create consistency, and overcome limiting beliefs. Transform individuals and teams from inconsistent performers into disciplined architects of success. Gain a consistency advantage that turns good intentions into lasting achievement.

This is perfect for:
- Embedding entrepreneurial thinking across all levels of your workforce
- Accelerating productivity through high performance and consistency

The audience will leave with:
- Clarity on the right daily actions to create meaningful progress, even in uncertain conditions
- Tools to overcome fear, self-doubt, and inconsistency by taking control of internal and external obstacles
- A repeatable rhythm that turns good intentions into sustained achievement in work and life

Previous Clients

PSASA
Old Mutual
Vodacom
UNESCO
SA Innovation Summit
North West University
Rail Africa
Solar and Storage Africa
Botswana Innovation Hub
The University of Liverpool U.K.
HSBC
DRB Hicom (Malaysia)
Leaderonomics
ADVtech Group
Pinnacle College
AFDA
Wadhwani Foundation
Sanlam
IBM
Buy a Business Expo
Nestle
Edcon
Samsung
Art and Culture Trust of South Africa
Afrika Tikkun
The Diepsloot Foundation
Discovery
InsideRisk
Young Entrepreneurs Convention
Small Business Expo
Sandoz
HR Indaba Africa
LeaderEx
and many more

Testimonials

"Willem’s advice is practical, and my team implemented it immediately. The feedback was spectacular—new advisers and veterans alike found value. If you need a speaker who delivers real impact, Willem is the guy to call."
Mano Appasamy, Business Manager, Sanlam

"Willem brought energy and thought-provoking insights to our conference. This was the third time we invited him, and it won’t be the last!"
Craig Blignaut, Founder, Business of Business South Africa Group

"Willem delivered extraordinary value at our event. His high-energy and mind-shifting talk left the audience on the edge of their seats."
Gerald Joubert, CEO, AuxanoSeven

“Willem is an exceptional speaker. His energy is mesmerising. He lights up the room from the moment he steps onto the stage. His effervescent and acutely sharp humour is matched by the intensity of his passion to make a difference.

If you want an entertaining and profound Speaker on Entrepreneurship, book Willem. He is different and unique. He leaves the people in the room in a different place from the one he entered.”
Alison Weihe
Award-winning Entrepreneur, Speaker, Author and Identity Intelligence Coach

“Willem's energy on stage is infectious!
As MC at the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) annual convention, Willem seamlessly strung together different parts of the programme.
A true professional with the values & skills to match!
Great work, Willem. Thank you for a fantastic job! ”
Zanele Njapha
The UnLearning Lady | Global Speaker

Available For: Advising, Consulting, Speaking
Travels From: Johannesburg, South Africa
Speaking Topics: Future of Work, AI, Digital Disruption, Entrepreneurial Thinking, HR, Education