Growth, AI, and Leadership: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
- PG Geldenhuys
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 18
This past weekend, with glorious winter weather that felt like summer, I revisited a place that’s become sacred to our family - Grootbos. Every three years we go back, and each time the landscape is the same: fynbos-covered hills, crisp air, and those pigs and chickens on the organic farm.
But there are also subtle shifts… in the people that curate the experience, and in us.
Six years ago, my boys barely noticed the animals, and AJ crawled around the place. Three years ago, they listened to the guides talk about biodiversity and conservation, but only half-heartedly. This year, something had shifted. They were curious, engaged, asking questions. They actually cared. Their interactions with the thoughtful and caring staff were on a whole different level, and we got to shape powerful new memories.
They are now able to do the hike through the fynbos, confidently ride the ponies, play fussball at the kids’ club and even do a bit of cold-water plunging with Daddy. It was another memorable chapter in our love affair with this special place, and we’re always grateful to Sean and his team for making us feel so welcome. As a former tour guide, I am always particularly struck by the high level of friendly professionalism of their hosting guides. Gareth, like those before him, combined easy education with high EQ and the ability to be present just at the right moment. Magic.
Some things were the same. Others were different. And it’s because Grootbos has evolved, and so have we. Our boys have become more open and aware. The reserve and facilities at Grootbos have expanded, and the enhanced biodiversity offer includes hiking trails that made Daddy very happy, while offering Mommy next-level pampering and the kids more ways to play.
And isn’t that the crux of it? In business, we need to stay true to our charter, but we also need to evolve. The world shifts, and we need to adapt while maintaining what made us special in the first place. It’s true for Grootbos, it’s true for our family, it’s true for business. We are all part of an evolving ecosystem, and as such, we need to embrace the changes.
Right now, it’s especially true in how we relate to AI.
I’ve been travelling across South Africa this week to run AI training for a banking client. In every session, I saw the same shift. A year ago, most people were just dabbling in ChatGPT. Now? They’re ready. Ready to build. Ready to integrate. Ready to lead with it.
And that’s the point. If you’re not moving forward, you’re actually moving backwards. Standing still might feel safe, but in business, it’s the fastest way to fall behind. Whether you’re raising kids, scaling a team, or adopting new technology, the question isn’t “What’s the right time?” The question is, “Are you ready to grow?”
EOS teaches us this through every cycle - each quarter, each year, every level of scale. You don’t just set Rocks and track Scorecards. You adapt. You evolve. What worked for a team of 5 won’t work for a team of 50. Just like what fascinates a six-year-old won’t work for a tween. You can’t rely on old tools for new stages.
Same goes for AI. And the coolest shift I’ve seen this month is people asking: “How do I make my own GPT?”
Not the public one. Your own. Private. Trained on your stuff. Imagine a GPT that speaks like you, writes proposals like you, answers FAQs like you. Sounds complicated? It’s not.
Here’s how to start (you will need a Premium ChatGPT plan):
Upload your notes, docs, or voice recordings to ChatGPT.
Open ChatGPT’s “Explore GPTs” tab and click “Create.”
Give it a name, describe what it should do (like “speak like Mel Robbins” or “act like my sales coach”), and start chatting.
Share it with your team or keep it private.
Tweak as you go.
That’s it. You don’t need to code. You don’t need to be a techie. You just need to be curious and intentional. You can easily create a GPT to help you manage your money (Robert Kiyosaki), give you a pep talk (Tony Robbins), or help you work out a sales strategy (Robert Cialdini).
Because whether it’s a conversation with your kids about sustainability, or a conversation with your business about systems and scale, the rules are the same: what got you here won’t get you there.
So take a step. Build something. Ask better questions. And remember…
PG’s Pro Tip:
If you want to future-proof your business, start by building your own virtual advisor. One that sounds like you, works for you, and grows with you. Want an example? Here’s my Mel Robbins GPT - have a look.
Life moves. Business moves. AI moves. Don’t stand still.
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