Speaker Bio
Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thinkers on AI, GenAI, disruption and innovation. He is one of the world’s leading keynote speakers presenting internationally at more than 60 in-person and virtual events a year. Association magazine ranked him as one of North America’s top ten speakers. Jim also leads strategic planning sessions with executive teams.
His clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, Canon, GM, IBM, SAP, Munich Re, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re, Walmart, Zurich Insurance.
In February 2024 Jim was recognized as the Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada. TEC is the largest CEO peer mentoring organization in Canada and part of Vistage the largest CEO mentoring group globally – with 45,000 CEOs. The award recognizes his presentations on AI which have been described as “mind blowing,” “riveting” and “eye opening.”
Jim’s last book, Blindsided!, is published in 80 countries worldwide and is a #1 international bestseller. Soundview Executive Summaries selected Blindsided! as one of the best business books of the year sending a summary to 80,000 executives globally. The Miami Herald calls Blindsided! “Brilliant stuff!”
As a management consultant, Mr. Harris works with leading businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and organizations aspiring to join these ranks. From 1992-1996 he represented the Covey Leadership Center – teaching Dr. Stephen Covey’s work, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Speaker Topics
AI is transforming business, government and society as a whole
- We’re seeing AI applications with 10X to 10,000X increases in productivity!
- AI will add up to $4.4 Trillion of economic value every year by 2030
- Many aspects of business, associations, government and society are being enhanced by this transformative technology.
This fast-paced, dynamic session will focus on proven, practical strategies, tactics, and actionable tools. It will highlight dozens of AI and GenAI apps and case studies focused on improving customer satisfaction, dramatically shortening cycle times, increasing sales and cutting costs. It will highlight benefits for many different functions within an organization: sales, marketing, customer service and finance.
In the US there are nearly 2 million job openings in health care. AI can save $386 billion a year if fully implemented in health care alone and while addressing the staff shortage.
Jim’s sessions have been described as “mind-blowing,” “riveting” and “eye-opening.”
The session will explore:
- What are the implications for business leaders?
- Where and how to begin?
- What resources are available to begin your AI journey?
Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) – is the defining reality of modern business. For today’s executives, mastering VUCA is essential to navigating the turbulence and turning uncertainty into opportunity.
The Age of Accelerated Change
We are witnessing the fastest, most disruptive period in corporate history. Markets shift overnight. Technologies leapfrog decades. Consumer behaviors evolve in real time. The scale and speed of change are without precedent:
- On April 3-4, 2025, US markets lost $6.6 trillion in value following President Trump’s announcement of tariffs on 90 countries. Five days later, after the decision was paused, markets rebounded by $5.4 trillion – a staggering single-day recovery.
- On January 27, 2025, China’s DeepSeek unveiled its R-1 AI model, instantly disrupting global tech. U.S. high-tech firms lost $1 trillion in a single day. NVIDIA alone dropped $600 billion, the largest single-day market cap loss in US history.
- It took the airline industry 68 years to reach 50 million users. It took Pokémon Go just 19 days.
These events aren’t anomalies – they’re signals of a world in permanent flux. Leadership strategies must evolve accordingly.
The Executive Imperative in a VUCA Landscape
For C-suite executives, this moment demands more than operational excellence. It requires visionary leadership, systemic thinking, and a willingness to experiment at scale. Key questions every executive team must address:
- How can we adapt faster?
- What systems will allow us to pivot, scale, and sustain momentum?
- How do we build organizational resilience at every level?
- How do we make bold, high-stakes decisions amid uncertainty?
- What kind of leadership is required when there is no clarity?
- How do we lead through crises (economic shocks, pandemics, geopolitical upheaval?
- How do we keep our people engaged, aligned & inspired amid constant change?
- How can we future-proof our business in the face of accelerating disruption?
VUCA as a Strategic Advantage
Leaders who understand the nature of VUCA don’t just survive—they thrive. They create adaptive organizations, nurture courageous cultures, and lead with both decisiveness and humility.
In a world where transformation not optional, mastering VUCA is essential. Those who develop the capacity it will outpace disruption—and shape the future of business.
Associated Topics
Geopolitics & Global Risk
- Trade wars & tariffs (US-China)
- Regional conflicts (Ukraine-Russia)
- Sanctions & economic upheaval
- Deglobalization
- Shifts in global alliances
- Supply chain
Technological Disruption
- AI and automation (GenAI, job loss fears)
- Cybersecurity & ransomware
- Quantum computing
Testimonials
In the fast-paced global business environment, the possibility of being blindsided by a competitor or new market entrant is very real, even for businesses that appear most secure. Jim Harris offers real-life examples that will cause the reader to stop, think and question whether he or she is doing everything in his or her power to avoid being blindsided. A must-read for all senior executives.
Just as change is now a constant in business, the risk of being blindsided with disruptive forces is the ‘Russian Roulette’ of business. I recommend sharpening your radar against these risks!
Jim Harris was just named the TEC Top Speaker of the Year. His profound insights into AI and digital transformation have been invaluable to our leadership and organizational growth.
Jim’s session was one of the most highly rated and I am certain that we will work with him in the future. What was particularly noteworthy was the accessibility and relevance of his material. Jim’s friendly, open style is critical in encouraging participants to take the material on board and shift their thinking.
Featured Video
Videos
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