Leading with Adrian Gore
- Wits University
The Wits Postgraduate Book Club hosted Wits alumnus, Adrian Gore to share insights from his new book.
His book is titled: The Four Principles: Multiply your impact in life and leadership.
Gore, an actuary, is the Founder and Group CEO of the Discovery Group. The event took place on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall.
“I’m a proud Witsie. My student years were the most wonderful experience. I learnt a huge amount, and I think my entire career, all my knowledge, came out of Wits University. My parents are Witsies; my children have been Witsies.”
“I've written a book called The Four Principles. It really is about human potential. It's about what makes some people really have an innovative life and leadership, and I think it has amazing research and science that can help people,” said Gore.
Jerome September, the Dean of Student Affairs, opened the event and said: “The subtitle of Adrian's book, Multiply your impact in life and leadership, is important for a university such as Wits that is committed to making a positive difference in society. We want our students to succeed, to build meaningful careers, and to realise their ambitions. We also want them to consider what their own knowledge make possible for others, impact on whom, towards what end, and how do we know whether the difference we believe we are making is the difference people actually need.
“These questions have particular weight in South Africa, where talent and aspiration exist alongside deep inequalities, and where so many capable young people encounter barriers that determination alone cannot remove. Leadership in this context requires imagination and courage. It requires listening, ethical judgement, and the willingness to account for the consequences of our decisions; optimism can make us act. Responsibility must guide what we do.”
A panel discussion was then led by Professor Salome Maswime, Head of the School of Clinical Medicine. Four postgraduate students who had read the book came prepared with questions, which were put to Gore. The four students were Franco Vosloo (4th year, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), Nomusa Khambule (Masters in Management Candidate in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation), Nirvana Ramparsad (Masters Candidate in Digital Business) and Dr Moyahabo Rampya ( PhD Candidate in Public Health).
The event was organised by Kamogelo Mabe, Project Assistant in Student Affairs who said: “Under the leadership and vision of the Dean of Students, this Postgraduate Book Club was conceptualised as a continuation of the conversations advanced through the annual Student Leadership Conference, particularly its theme, ‘Leading with Integrity.’
“Building on the Centre for Student Development’s commitment to developing global scholars and leaders of integrity, the initiative brought postgraduate students together to engage with the deeper purpose of leadership, the responsibilities it demands, and its relevance in contemporary society. Beyond creating a space for intellectual exchange, the event sought to encourage critical reflection on what it means to lead with integrity, exercise responsible leadership and respond meaningfully to the broader challenges of our time.”