From Setback to Possibility: My Story

I wasn’t the most academic student at school—I didn’t even get a matric exemption. After completing compulsory Defence Force service, I planned to go straight into work. But one unexpected conversation changed everything.

A school friend suggested the idea of going to university. I didn’t qualify, but something in me said, “What if?” I walked into the Registrar’s office of the University of Free State the day before the university opened without an appointment. He listened to my story and made a call to the Department of Education—and gave me a shot. I could register for a B.Com degree, if I took an additional language and passed it in my first year.

That language was South Sotho—an African language I didn’t understand a word of.

It was one of the hardest challenges I’d ever faced: full lectures, oral exams, and academic pressure in a language I had to fight to grasp. But I passed. And I kept going. I went on to complete my B.Com full time and did my Honours, and Master degrees while working full time.

I spent 23 years in banking, rising from cashier to General Manager at one of South Africa’s top five banks. Then came the shock. I was on a break in the Kruger Park when I got the call—flown to Johannesburg from Phalaborwa to join the “top 300 executives”… only to be told I was being retrenched due to pressure on the bank’s performance caused by the global recession.

That same afternoon, I was home. Without a job.

Side note: I’ve often thought — not many people can say their company flew them in from the bush, picked them up at the airport, drove them home to change into a suit… all so they could attend a meeting in the corporate auditorium and be told they were being retrenched. That moment, surreal as it was, marked the end of one chapter and the unexpected beginning of another.

From One Moment to Full Circle

Looking back, that one moment in the Kruger wasn’t the only turning point — just the first of many. Each step since has been shaped by a deep drive to help others unlock their own possibility.

I came across ActionCOACH Business Coaching through a friend and made the decision, fuelled by excitement and fear to buy an ActionCOACH franchise in 2008.

I was one of South Africa’s first coaches and tapped into a global network spanning 84 countries (including the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand), using world-class IP, tools and strategies to help businesses grow profitably, run more efficiently, and prepare for long-term success, including eventual ownership transitions.

Over the past two decades, I’ve partnered with hundreds of businesses across diverse industries- guiding them to significant growth, operational clarity, and long-term value creation.

Most people perform only at a fraction of their potential

This isn’t just a belief — it’s something I’ve witnessed time and again. My own journey, and the breakthroughs I’ve helped others achieve, revealed a powerful truth: when we shift how we think, act, and lead, extraordinary things become possible.

That realisation led to the creation of the Entrepreneurial Mastery Model — a practical, experience-driven framework that turns potential into performance. It’s more than a model; it’s a breakthrough engine. I’ve watched business leaders surpass goals they once thought unreachable, not just in business, but in life.

This model continues to guide my work every day, helping people unlock what they didn’t even realise was possible. And in many ways, it brought my journey full circle when I authored “Bush Lessons 4 Business- Unlocking Your Possibility”.

It brought together what I believe in — the power of perspective, the wisdom of nature, and the strength of intentional action. The book captures lessons from the wild and applies them directly to business and leadership. It’s become both a culmination of my journey and a conversation starter for those ready to shift from surviving to thriving.

That’s the heartbeat of Unlocking Your Possibility. If I could do it, so can you.

Stepping Into Your Full Potential

You’re doing well, but what if the key to unlocking your next level isn’t about doing more, but seeing differently? What if viewing your potential through a fresh lens could reveal untapped opportunities?

Too many people settle “good” when “greatness” is within reach.

Together, we’ll uncover new paths that lead to the breakthroughs you seek.

Let’s Embark on This Journey Together

If you’re ready to break through limitations, embrace fresh perspectives, and create extraordinary results, let’s talk.

Experience and Success

Francois’s impressive track record speaks for itself. With a plethora of awards and accolades, he has established himself as a leading authority in business coaching. His latest achievement is the authorship of “Bush Lessons 4 Business”, a groundbreaking book that brings timeless wisdom “From the Bush to the Boardroom”.

 ActionCOACH Awards

• National Brand Builder
• Sales Coach of the Year
• Diamond Coach
• Global ActionMAN
• MasterCOACH
• Global Speaker
• Global Trainer
• Best client retention in South Africa (2019-2022)
• President’s CLUB (2013)
• Chairman’s CLUB (2019)

Corporate Accolades

• Established the bank’s first Small Business Division
• Top Regional Sales Manager, nationally (three times)
• Pioneer in an Executive Leadership programme
• National winner of the “Prestige Award for Leadership”

Education and Development

Francois’s commitment to ongoing learning and development has equipped him with a broad range of skills and expertise.

• Comm degree (University of the Free State)
• Comm. Honours degree (University of the Free State)
• Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree (UNISA)
• Executive Sales Development Programme (INSEAD Business School, France)
• “4-Day MBA” programme (Sydney, Australia)
• Strategic Leadership programme (The School of Business Leadership- Go Strategic, Wadsworth, USA)

Bush CV:

• Travelled through numerous Game reserves over 35 years totalled more than 500 days in the bush.
• Took more than 30 000 pictures.
• Longest waiting time at a leopard sighting: 5.5 hours at 37 degrees Celsius in the vehicle.
• Longest time in the Kruger Park at a given time: 36 days
• 17 different Nature reserves visited.
• 30 different camps visited.
• 382 bird species counting.
• 16 leopards seen during one visit.

Latest Achievement: “Bush Lessons 4 Business”- Unlocking Your Possibility

Francois Lubbe’s most recent achievement solidifies his authority in the business world as the author of the insightful book “Bush Lessons 4 Business”- Unlocking Your Possibility, which brings timeless wisdom “From the Bush to the Boardroom”. With “Bush Lessons 4 Business”, Francois is revolutionising the way businesses think, operate, and succeed.

Francois brings a unique blend of corporate leadership, executive experience, and business coaching expertise to the table, enhanced by world-class tools and intellectual property from Global ActionCOACH Business Coaching. This powerful combination enables him to deliver transformative results for businesses, offering both deep industry knowledge and nature-inspired lessons that drive innovative thinking, resilience, and strategic growth.

Francois has been featured across a variety of national and local media outlets, including appearances on various radio stations. Notable moments include his TV interviews on “Die Groot Ontbyt” on DSTV and eNCA TV, where he shared his unique insights on how nature’s wisdom can shape effective business strategies. His thought-provoking perspectives have also been shared through various podcasts and keynotes, further establishing him as a sought-after voice in the business world.

Personal Life

Francois values a well-rounded lifestyle, cherishing time with family and embracing enriching experiences. His passions include traveling, wildlife photography, birding, wine collecting, running, reading and cooking.