Podcast
Elephants in the Boardroom
Hosted by TomorrowToday Consulting · EN
A podcast about the powerful forces transforming our world. It’s not just technology that shapes the future—there are deeper, often-ignored megatrends driving disruption. These Grey Elephants are the big challenges we hope will go away but can’t afford to ignore. Elephants in the Boardroom offers a megatrend radar for leaders who want to identify tomorrow’s most important opportunities, seize advantage, and shape a better future. Join us for unflinching discussions, incisive insights, and actionable strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world. Powered by Achilles.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Future of Education: Preparing Children for a World That Doesn’t Exist Yet with Jude Foulston
1w ago00:57:25Tap to summarizeWe’ve spent decades making our organisations leaner, faster, and more efficient. But what if that optimisation is now the problem?Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen explore two forces reshaping leadership in real time: the “big squeeze” hitting global supply chains, and the subtle but dangerous shift towards outsourcing our thinking to AI.As geopolitical tensions disrupt trade routes and expose the limits of just-in-time systems, we unpack what this “big squeeze” means for businesses - and why resilience is no longer enough. Instead, leaders must think in terms of anti-fragility: building organisations that don’t just withstand shocks, but improve because of them.Shifting focus to AI, where the real risk isn’t the technology itself, but how we use it. Drawing on recent research, hear what happens when people stop questioning AI outputs, and why critical thinking is becoming a defining leadership capability.Our interview this month is with Jude Foulston, a colleague at TomorrowToday Consulting and a leading voice on the future of education. She joins Graeme to explore whether current schooling systems are preparing young people for a radically changing world.Using the TIDES model (Technology, Institutional change, Demographics, Environment, Social values), Jude explains how education must evolve - from content delivery to connection, from standardisation to personalisation, and from compliance to curiosity. The conversation challenges long-held assumptions about what schools are for, and what role parents, teachers, and leaders must now play.Key takeaways 🌍 The “big squeeze” on supply chainsGlobal disruption is exposing the risks of hyper-optimised, just-in-time systems - making access to goods, resources, and materials more uncertain and expensive.⚖️ From resilience to anti-fragilityIt’s no longer enough to recover from shocks - organisations must design systems that get stronger through disruption.🏭 Rethinking supply chain strategyNearshoring, stronger supplier relationships, and strategic excess capacity are becoming essential for long-term stability.🧠 Cognitive surrender and AI riskWhen people stop questioning AI outputs, performance drops - especially when the technology is wrong.⚠️ Expertise still mattersAI is most powerful in the hands of experts who know how to challenge and guide it, not blindly follow it.💡 Critical thinking as a core skillCuriosity, challenge, and independent judgment are becoming non-negotiable capabilities in AI-enabled organisations.🤖 Building bionic organisationsThe future isn’t AI-first - it’s human-first, with technology enhancing rather than replacing thinking.🏫 Education at a crossroadsSchools must move beyond content delivery and rethink their role as spaces for connection, curiosity, and real-world learning.🔄 From standardisation to personalisationTechnology enables more tailored learning experiences - but institutions must evolve to support it.🌱 Experimentation over certaintyThere are no simple fixes for education - but small, intentional shifts by schools, parents, and leaders can drive meaningful change.About the guestJude Foulston is Digital Director at TomorrowToday Consulting and leads their work on education, parenting, and future-focused learning. She works globally with schools, parents, and organisations to rethink how young people are prepared for a fast-changing world.Jude is passionate about bridging the gap between traditional education systems and the realities of the future of work, helping communities experiment with new models of learning that prioritise curiosity, connection, and adaptability.Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
Transcribe →Generational Intelligence: Turning Age Divide into Strategic Advantage with Zavier Coyne
Apr 201:06:48Tap to summarizeGraeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen open this month’s episode with a reflection on the volatility in and around the Middle East, not to add another layer of commentary to the news cycle, but to ask a more strategic question: how should leaders think when certainty is in short supply?Using the grey elephant lens, they can see multipolarity happening in real time, alongside the changing face of warfare, and the wider geopolitical shifts that are reshaping trade, power, and supply chains.Looking at the increasingly important signals we’re seeing on the grey elephant radar, hear what the decline of flying insects could mean for food systems, and the growing use of AI in medical research, where data analysis is opening up new possibilities in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care of diseases including cancer.Our interview this month is with Zavier Coyne, founder of Gen Z Coach, who explains to Graeme why the current generational conversation is about more than the usual “young versus old” dynamic.Zavier argues that Gen Z are the first truly digitally native generation, and that this matters not only because of how fluent they are with technology, but because digital systems have shaped their communication, expectations, behaviour, and development from the start. The conversation looks at what this means for leaders trying to build multi-generational teams, how organisations can develop stronger generational intelligence, and why the real opportunity may be bigger than adapting to younger workers. It may be a chance to rehumanise work altogether.Key takeaways🌍 Reading the world through instabilityVolatility is no longer an exception to manage, but a context to operate within - demanding clearer thinking in the absence of certainty.🧭 Multipolarity as operating realityGlobal influence is increasingly distributed, with power expressed through shifting alliances, economic leverage, and regional dynamics rather than a single dominant force.🐝 The decline of flying insectsA sharp drop in insect populations highlights as a growing risk to food production, pollination, and the systems that underpin global agriculture.🧬 AI where it matters mostBeyond the noise, the most meaningful impact of AI may lie in its ability to unlock insight from complexity - particularly in areas like health and scientific discovery.📱 The digital native shiftA generation shaped by immersive digital environments brings fundamentally different assumptions about communication, feedback, and engagement.💬 Behaviour shaped by environmentWorkplace expectations are increasingly influenced by the systems people grow up in, not just by individual attitudes or preferences.🤝 Generational intelligence as a leadership skillEffective leadership now requires the ability to understand, navigate, and connect across generational contexts - not simply manage them.🚀 Growth, ownership, and accountabilityPerformance is strengthened when individuals feel both empowered in their work and connected to something larger than themselves.🧑💼 Rehumanising workAs technology accelerates, the opportunity emerges to redesign work around distinctly human strengths - creativity, connection, and meaning.About the guestZavier Coyne is a leading expert on digital natives in the workplace, and an internationally recognised thought leader on ‘Generational Intelligence’. His work helps businesses maximise the potential of the Gen Z workforce and the generations leading them.Zavier is a TEDx Speaker, future of work advisor to FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, BeVisioneers Mercedes-Benz entrepreneurial fellow, University of London guest lecturer, co-founder of Gen Z Coach and the world’s youngest Master Intuitive Psychology Coach. Most recently, he contributed his expertise at youth-impact sessions in Davos during the 2026 World Economic Forum.Zavier is known as a trusted bridge between senior leadership and digitally native employees. He helps organisations boost retention, performance, and future-proof leadership by turning generational change into competitive advantage.And crucially, he brings first-hand digitally native insight into the room - being Gen Z himself!Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn hereEmail Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsTomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
Transcribe →Modern Slavery: From Compliance Risk to Strategic Leadership with James Cockayne
Mar 500:57:46Tap to summarizeGraeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen recorded this month’s episode against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. Following US–Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliation across the region, the situation is a reminder of how quickly geopolitical shocks can ripple through global systems - from energy markets to supply chains. Rather than trying to predict outcomes, the grey elephant lens allows us to explore the structural signals sitting beneath the headlines.One such signal is the rise of prediction sites like Polymarket, where users can bet on real-world geopolitical outcomes. While novel on the surface, platforms like this reflect deeper shifts in how information, expectations, and risk are distributed and priced. Hear how Europe’s evolving role in a more multipolar world, is a sign that the region is moving beyond regulation, toward building greater strategic capability around critical materials, supply chains, and technology independence.We are also joined by TomorrowToday Digital Director, Jude Foulston, to share how the team’s participation in 1% for the Planet is supporting a grassroots education initiative in South Africa - a reminder that businesses can translate purpose into practical action through targeted social investment.Our guest this month is James Cockayne, New South Wales Anti-slavery Commissioner, to explain how modern slavery is a grey elephant embedded within global supply chains. Although widely acknowledged, it is still often treated as a compliance issue rather than a strategic leadership challenge. James explains why regulators are moving beyond disclosure toward stronger human-rights due diligence, and why organisations that genuinely understand their supply chains are better positioned to manage risk, strengthen resilience, and create long-term value.Key takeaways -🌍 Multipolarity and shifting power blocsEvolving global order and regional power blocs are increasingly shaping trade, technology, and security dynamics.🎲 Prediction markets and new information signalsPlatforms that allow betting on geopolitical events point to changing dynamics in how expectations, intelligence, and information circulate globally.🇪🇺 Europe’s strategic awakeningEurope is beginning to move beyond its traditional role as a regulatory power and is investing more deliberately in industrial capability, supply chain resilience, and technological sovereignty.🏗️ The overlooked constraints of the next economyCritical materials, water availability, and aging infrastructure are emerging as structural constraints that could shape the next phase of economic and technological growth.🐘 Modern slavery as a grey elephantModern slavery remains widely visible but frequently underweighted in corporate risk management, often treated as a reporting exercise rather than a strategic issue.🔗 Supply chains, governance, and ownershipAddressing modern slavery requires clearer executive ownership and a shift from compliance toward deeper supply chain visibility and collaborative risk management.🤝 Stewardship and long-term value creationBusinesses that build stronger relationships across their supply chains are better positioned to manage disruption and protect long-term value.Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn hereEmail Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsTomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
Transcribe →Beyond Accommodation: Building Neuroinclusive Organisations with Dr. Sarah Babb
Feb 500:57:42Tap to summarizeFebruary 2026 already feels like a year. In this month’s episode, Graeme Codrington explores two forces leaders can’t afford to treat as background noise: geopolitical rupture and the unseen diversity inside their own organisations.Graeme turns to China to illustrate what Kairos readiness looks like in practice: long-term planning, disciplined execution, and the ability to move decisively when the world fractures. He explores China’s five-year planning model, the intent behind the 2035 and 2049 roadmaps, and why preparedness consistently beats reaction.Later in the episode, Graeme is joined by Dr. Sarah Babb to examine neurodiversity as a leadership and performance issue-not an HR side topic. They unpack what neurodiversity really means, why “normal” is the wrong frame, and how organisations can move beyond individual accommodations toward system-level neuroinclusion that strengthens innovation, talent, and customer experience.Whether you’re looking at global strategy or organisational design, the message is consistent: what you ignore today shapes your constraints tomorrow.Key takeaways -🧭 You can’t keep up - so change how you engageThe world has moved beyond “transition” into rupture: fast, non-linear change that breaks old assumptions.Your edge comes from frameworks, not feeds.🦅 Kairos vs Chronos: the moment you can grabChronos is chronological time; Kairos is the window of opportunity.Leaders win by being ready to move when the moment arrives-before competitors even realise it’s here.🇨🇳 China as a strategic planning case studyChina’s rolling five-year plan model has delivered an unusually high proportion of targets over decades.The release of the 2035 and 2049 plans is a signal: China is aligning short-, medium-, and long-term execution.Key shifts to watch:Incentives for Chinese firms to globalise and welcome partnersA changing stance on intellectual property and global standardsRapid trade responsiveness as geopolitical relationships fracture🧠 Neurodiversity: the “unseen diversity” organisations are missingDr. Babb frames neurodiversity as normal variation in brain functioning, not a neat binary of “typical vs divergent.”The opportunity is both internal (talent, innovation, resilience) and external (customers, product design, accessibility).The real question for leaders: Do you want diversity of thinking-and are you prepared to support it?🏢 What organisations should do nowMove beyond one-off programs and confidential “accommodations.”Build strengths-based, skills-based teams and systems that let different profiles thrive.Treat neuroinclusion as strategy: culture, policy, design, and leadership capability-not a side initiative.💸 The market opportunity is realProducts, services, environments, and experiences designed for neurodiverse customers aren’t niche-done well, they create competitive advantage and loyalty.Small design shifts (sensory load, clarity, choice, accessibility) can unlock demand without massive overhaul.Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles.Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
Transcribe →From Signals to Consequences - 2026 Predictions Special
Jan 800:54:19Tap to summarizeThe future isn’t hiding in forecasts or trend reports. It’s already standing in front of us.In this special episode, Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen examine the grey elephants already reshaping leadership, strategy, and society - highly probable, high-impact forces that are now moving from theory into reality.From human enhancement to climate-driven insurance collapse, antimicrobial resistance and AI-driven deception to fragile tech investment models and an increasingly multipolar world, this episode challenges leaders to abandon passive optimism and adopt deliberate action.The message is clear: 2026 won’t reward those who wait. But it will reward those who recognise what’s already here - and respond decisively.Key takeaways -🐘 The Grey Elephant mindsetGrey elephants aren’t surprises - they’re obvious forces we avoid discussing.2026 will reward leaders who are conscious, decisive, and proactive, even if decisions aren’t perfect.🏟️ Enhanced Games & human augmentationA proposed 2026 sporting event where performance enhancement is transparent and allowed.Less about sport, more about a shift from paternalism → autonomy and changing rules of competition.A signal for societal fractures and new definitions of “fairness”.🌍 Climate change meets insurance realityInsurers quietly withdrawing from high-risk regions or pricing cover out of reach.Knock-on effects: housing markets, migration, supply chains, local government finances.Leaders should watch re-insurance markets closely.🦠 Superbugs & antimicrobial resistanceAlready causing ~1M deaths per year-and rising.An “unsexy” crisis with huge implications for healthcare, productivity, and mortality.A massive blind spot for governments, investors, and businesses alike.🤖 AI fakery & cybersecurityIn 2026, trust collapses: voices, faces, video, and audio can all be faked.The question is no longer “Can we trust?” but “How do we operate when we can’t?”Opportunity lies in verification, design, and new trust infrastructures.🧠 Human connection as a superpowerAs AI intelligence accelerates, human consciousness-empathy, judgement, ethics-becomes scarce and valuable.Leaders should ask two questions:Where can AI drive efficiency?Where does being human create competitive advantage?📉 The AI investment bubbleNot an AI collapse-but potential turbulence in the financial plumbing behind big tech.Circular financing, GPU economics, and concentrated risk could cause a market shock in 2026.🌐 Multipolar geopoliticsThe post-WWII order is fragmenting faster than many expected.New alliances, broken assumptions, and uncomfortable moral trade-offs are emerging.Businesses must scenario-plan for worlds that once felt unthinkable.💡 Reasons for optimismAmid disruption, medical breakthroughs are accelerating.Cancer vaccines and other major advances could define the upside of 2026.Thanks to Lee, Philippa, Jude, Darren and Nasreen for their contributions to this episode. Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
Transcribe →The Future Isn’t Predicted - It’s Created: Live from Dubai Futures Forum
Dec 400:29:34Tap to summarizeIn this special episode, hosts Graeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen broadcast live from the Dubai Futures Forum, the world’s largest gathering of futurists. They share insights on emerging trends, including the value of focus in a distracted world, the evolving meaning of expertise in the age of AI, and the importance of hope and wonder for driving change. Recorded at the iconic Dubai Museum of the Future, the episode encourages listeners to confront overlooked challenges and actively shape a positive, ambitious future.Our January episode will be another special as we look forward to the year ahead and what we predict 2026 might hold. We’re also inviting listeners to get involved by submitting their 2026 predictions. Submit yours at https://www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/2026predictions. Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
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AI’s Power Hunger, Sovereign AI & Sand Scarcity - Lessons from South Africa (with Tom Eaton)
Nov 700:59:04Tap to summarizeGraeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen explore this month’s “grey elephants”: the collision of AI and energy demand, the strategic rise of sovereign AI, and an overlooked resource, sand. Then Graeme sits down with Cape Town–based writer and columnist Tom Eaton to unpack what the world can learn from South Africa’s last 30 years: state capture, institutional decay and repair, and why change can arrive suddenly, good or bad.Key Topics DiscussedAI x EnergyData centres scaling to small-nation power loads; AI is both energy hog and grid optimizer.Two futures: grids buckle vs. AI catalyses smarter, cleaner, more resilient systems.Boardroom takeaway: align digital and energy strategies; efficiency is competitive advantage.“Cloud” in SpaceBig idea doing the rounds: gigawatt-scale AI training clusters off-planet.Regardless of space hype, leaders must solve earthbound energy constraints first.Sovereign AINations racing to control compute + energy + data to reduce dependency on rivals.Corporate echo: prove AI value, then move toward sovereign AI footprints (own models, data, infra).Sand ScarcitySpecific sands for cement, silicon chips, glass are finite and ecologically costly to extract.Expect supply shocks, regulation, and materials innovation opportunities.Quiz CornerSector with up to 60% electricity savings via AI optimization: Utilities.Companies leading in AI projected to widen revenue gap vs. peers by ~30% (near-term).Term for national AI stacks: Sovereign AI.Interview - Tom EatonNo going back: after institutional damage, restoration is slow, contested, and incomplete.Beware “liberator euphoria”: the post-crisis leader gets too much leeway; stay critical.No adults in the building: don’t assume competent saviours or self-preservation will fix systems.Change can be sudden: systems can transform quickly—worse or better—so keep options ready.Personal advice: be less online; read history to gain perspective and pattern recognition.Featured GuestTom Eaton — South African author, screenwriter, and columnist known for incisive commentary across politics and culture. His recent writing distils practical lessons from South Africa’s experience with corruption, state capture, and democratic resilience for a world facing similar trends.Connect with Graeme and DeanConnect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedInEmail Dean Van Leeuwen: Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingExplore the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsGeneral enquiries: hello@tomorrowtoday.consultingElephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains, reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.Links and articles Jeff Bezos: Are Data Centres in Space the Next AI Frontier?How China used more cement in 3 years than the U.S. did in the entire 20th CenturyWorld Economic Forum - The $3.3 trillion climate question: Can data centres take the heat?Links from the Guest (Tom Eaton)Newsletter: Another Day in Paradise with Tom EatonArticle “South Africa: the world’s cheat sheet for what comes next” Newsletter (fiction/writing): A Note from Tom EatonBook: An Act of Murder by Tom Eaton
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Signals from the Deep: Data Bunkers, UN & the Future of Shipping with guest Øistein Jensen Chief Sustainability Officer Odfjell
Oct 900:48:39Tap to summarizeEpisode OverviewGraeme Codrington (Johannesburg) and Dean Van Leeuwen (South of London) explore fresh “grey elephant” signals—from subterranean data centres and living with a >2°C world, to UN reform rumblings—then sit down with Øistein Jensen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Oddfjell, to unpack how a 110-year-old global chemical shipping company is tackling decarbonisation, supply-chain due diligence, and industry-wide collaboration.Key Topics DiscussedGrey Elephants RadarConverging, high-impact forces post-COVID; a once-in-a-century transformation.Strategy lens: identify weak signals early; turn risk into opportunity.Subterranean Data CentresOld mines/bunkers reimagined as “underground data fortresses.”Strategic logic: protect critical data; manage cooling, power, and resilience.Side bet: cooling technology becomes a shovel-in-the-gold-rush play.Living with >2°CMove beyond “prevention only” to adaptation + resilience at scale.Practical mindset shift (as with COVID): learn to operate in new conditions.UN & Multipolarity Weak SignalsCalls for African representation; scrutiny of Security Council veto power.Diplomatic flashpoints as indicators of a shifting geopolitical order.Boardroom takeaway: model tariff shocks, sanctions, supply-route rewiring.BANI World & Grey ElephantsToday’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.Build antifragile strategies before the stampede starts.The QuizFirst military “drone” use: Austrian incendiary balloons over Venice (1849).Interview — Øistein Jensen, CSO, OddfjellDecarbonisation now: efficiency first; multiple fuels/tech—no single silver bullet.Regulation & level playing field: strong IMO rules to avoid “go-bankrupt green.”Holistic value chain: avoid offloading emissions upstream; measure Scope 3.Data & transparency: rising customer expectations across the full chain.Partnerships: industry bodies, local forums on human rights, technology co-dev.Supplier due diligence: shared platforms (e.g., Achilles) cut duplication and lift standards.Embedding sustainability: company-wide incentives tied to climate trajectories.Featured GuestØistein Jensen — Chief Sustainability Officer, Oddfjell (global leader in chemical shipping). Oversees sustainability, compliance and strategic safety. Former submarine commander in the Royal Norwegian Navy; prior experience at PwC.Connect with Graeme and DeanConnect with Graeme Codrington on LinkedInEmail Dean Van Leeuwen: Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingExplore the 7 Grey Elephants: www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephantsGeneral enquiries: hello@tomorrowtoday.consultingElephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Achilles helps the world’s biggest companies build ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chains—reducing risk while unlocking opportunity.Keywordsgrey elephants, BANI, multipolarity, UN reform, underground data centres, mines to data fortresses, climate adaptation, >2°C world, shipping decarbonisation, Oddfjell, Øistein Jensen, IMO regulation, Scope 3, supplier due diligence, Achilles, human rights, transparency, energy efficiency, antifragility, strategic resilience
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Multipolarity, wars and rumours of wars, and the future of supply chains.
Sep 1200:57:52Tap to summarizeGraeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen return with a timely and urgent discussion about the shifting balance of global power and its implications for business leaders. From startling comments about human longevity by Putin and Xi Jinping to the acceleration of a multipolar world order, the hosts unpack how these geopolitical shifts create uncertainty, and opportunity, in boardrooms everywhere.This episode also features a compelling interview with Mar Bernal Conde, Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP, who shares her journey from operations to sustainability leadership and explains how resilient, transparent supply chains can become a competitive advantage in turbulent times.Key Topics DiscussedImmortality & AgingPutin and Xi joke about living beyond 150.Science shows aging may one day be reversible.Multipolarity RisingNew alliances reshaping global power (Russia, China, India, BRICS+).U.S. tariffs accelerate the shift away from Western dominance.Global RisksTariffs, sanctions, and conflicts (Ukraine, Taiwan, Venezuela, Middle East).Businesses must plan for shocks and instability.Grey Elephants & BANI WorldForces of change that are ignored until too late.Today’s reality: Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible.Mara Vernal-Konda InterviewFrom operations to sustainability leadership.Why transparency, trust, and ESG due diligence matter.Building resilient supply chains in uncertain times.Featured GuestMar Bernal Conde – Head of Sustainable Supply Chain at LightSource BP. With over 25 years of international experience in energy and manufacturing, Mara has led strategic transformations rooted in sustainability. She also teaches sustainability leadership at Cambridge and serves on multiple industry boards.Putin Confirms Rise Of New World Order 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKhTbMrqUdMConnect with Graeme and DeanElephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
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Career Reinvention and Fierce Care in Leadership
Aug 101:05:16Tap to summarizeGraeme Codrington and Dean Van Leeuwen are joined by Tony, a former professional rugby player who has successfully reinvented himself three times throughout his career. In this inspiring conversation, Tony shares his journey of transformation beyond professional sports and introduces the powerful concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in business.In a world where transformation is happening at an unprecedented pace - the fastest since 100 years ago - Tony's story offers valuable insights for anyone navigating career transitions and organizational leadership. His philosophy on how treating people, suppliers, and stakeholders with genuine care becomes a competitive advantage provides actionable wisdom for today's business leaders.Key Topics DiscussedCareer Reinvention & TransformationTony's journey of reinventing himself three times beyond professional rugbyNavigating the transition from professional sports to business leadershipThe shelf life of careers and making strategic life decisionsSelf-awareness as a foundation for successful transformationFierce Care as Business StrategyThe concept of "fierce care" as a strategic imperative in businessHow genuine care for people, suppliers, and stakeholders drives performanceThe difference between exceptional and average organizational performanceMicro-behaviors that create competitive advantagesLeadership in Times of ChangeOperating in an era of enormous sharp transformationWhy everyone needs to learn how to reinvent themselvesThe importance of treating people well during periods of changeBuilding high-performing organizations through authentic leadershipFeatured GuestTony - Former professional rugby player who has successfully navigated multiple career reinventions, now focused on business leadership and the application of "fierce care" principles in organizational settings.Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles. Connect with Graeme and Dean:Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consultingIf you're interested in learning more about the 7 Grey Elephants and how they're transforming the world you can download TomorrowToday's white paper herewww.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants TomorrowToday Consulting empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future, but to shape it. Staying ahead of the curve is critical, and we provide the visionary thinking and strategic execution you need to thrive.Email hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting
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