Elephants in the Boardroom

Future of Education: Preparing Children for a World That Doesn’t Exist Yet with Jude Foulston

We’ve spent decades making our organisations leaner, faster, and more efficient. But what if that optimisation is now the problem? Graeme Codrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington] and Dean Van Leeuwen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanvanleeuwen] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judefoulston/], 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 chains Global 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-fragility It’s no longer enough to recover from shocks - organisations must design systems that get stronger through disruption. 🏭 Rethinking supply chain strategy Nearshoring, stronger supplier relationships, and strategic excess capacity are becoming essential for long-term stability. 🧠 Cognitive surrender and AI risk When people stop questioning AI outputs, performance drops - especially when the technology is wrong. ⚠️ Expertise still matters AI 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 skill Curiosity, challenge, and independent judgment are becoming non-negotiable capabilities in AI-enabled organisations. 🤖 Building bionic organisations The future isn’t AI-first - it’s human-first, with technology enhancing rather than replacing thinking. 🏫 Education at a crossroads Schools must move beyond content delivery and rethink their role as spaces for connection, curiosity, and real-world learning. 🔄 From standardisation to personalisation Technology enables more tailored learning experiences - but institutions must evolve to support it. 🌱 Experimentation over certainty There are no simple fixes for education - but small, intentional shifts by schools, parents, and leaders can drive meaningful change. About the guest Jude Foulston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judefoulston] 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 [https://achilles.com/]. Connect with Graeme and Dean: * Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] * Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting [Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting] If 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 here www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants [http://www.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 [hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting]

Generational Intelligence: Turning Age Divide into Strategic Advantage with Zavier Coyne

Graeme Codrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington] and Dean Van Leeuwen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanvanleeuwen] 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 https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaviercoyneZavier Coyne [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaviercoyne], founder of Gen Z Coach [https://genzcoach.com], 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 instability Volatility is no longer an exception to manage, but a context to operate within - demanding clearer thinking in the absence of certainty. 🧭 Multipolarity as operating reality Global 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 insects A 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 most Beyond 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 shift A generation shaped by immersive digital environments brings fundamentally different assumptions about communication, feedback, and engagement. 💬 Behaviour shaped by environment Workplace expectations are increasingly influenced by the systems people grow up in, not just by individual attitudes or preferences. 🤝 Generational intelligence as a leadership skill Effective leadership now requires the ability to understand, navigate, and connect across generational contexts - not simply manage them. 🚀 Growth, ownership, and accountability Performance is strengthened when individuals feel both empowered in their work and connected to something larger than themselves. 🧑‍💼 Rehumanising work As technology accelerates, the opportunity emerges to redesign work around distinctly human strengths - creativity, connection, and meaning. About the guest Zavier 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 https://genzcoach.com/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 [https://achilles.com/]. Connect with Graeme and Dean: * Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] * Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting [Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting] If 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 here www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants [http://www.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 [hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting]

Modern Slavery: From Compliance Risk to Strategic Leadership with James Cockayne

Graeme Codrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington] and Dean Van Leeuwen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanvanleeuwen] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/judefoulston/], to share how the team’s participation in 1% for the Planet [https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org]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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cockayne-0b78311ba], New South Wales Anti-slavery Commissioner [https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/our-commissioners/anti-slavery-commissioner/learn-more-about-the-office-of-the-nsw-anti-slavery-commissioner.html], 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 blocs Evolving global order and regional power blocs are increasingly shaping trade, technology, and security dynamics. 🎲 Prediction markets and new information signals Platforms that allow betting on geopolitical events point to changing dynamics in how expectations, intelligence, and information circulate globally. 🇪🇺 Europe’s strategic awakening Europe 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 economy Critical 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 elephant Modern 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 ownership Addressing 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 creation Businesses 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 [https://achilles.com/]. Connect with Graeme and Dean: 1. Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] 2. Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting [Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting] If 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 here www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants [http://www.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 [hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting]

Beyond Accommodation: Building Neuroinclusive Organisations with Dr. Sarah Babb

February 2026 already feels like a year. In this month’s episode, Graeme Codrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-babb-sa/] 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 engage 1. The world has moved beyond “transition” into rupture: fast, non-linear change that breaks old assumptions. 2. Your edge comes from frameworks, not feeds. 🦅 Kairos vs Chronos: the moment you can grab 1. Chronos is chronological time; Kairos is the window of opportunity. 2. Leaders win by being ready to move when the moment arrives-before competitors even realise it’s here. 🇨🇳 China as a strategic planning case study 1. China’s rolling five-year plan model has delivered an unusually high proportion of targets over decades. 2. The release of the 2035 and 2049 plans is a signal: China is aligning short-, medium-, and long-term execution. 3. Key shifts to watch: 4. Incentives for Chinese firms to globalise and welcome partners 5. A changing stance on intellectual property and global standards 6. Rapid trade responsiveness as geopolitical relationships fracture 🧠 Neurodiversity: the “unseen diversity” organisations are missing 1. Dr. Babb frames neurodiversity as normal variation in brain functioning, not a neat binary of “typical vs divergent.” 2. The opportunity is both internal (talent, innovation, resilience) and external (customers, product design, accessibility). 3. The real question for leaders: Do you want diversity of thinking-and are you prepared to support it? 🏢 What organisations should do now 1. Move beyond one-off programs and confidential “accommodations.” 2. Build strengths-based, skills-based teams and systems that let different profiles thrive. 3. Treat neuroinclusion as strategy: culture, policy, design, and leadership capability-not a side initiative. 💸 The market opportunity is real 1. Products, services, environments, and experiences designed for neurodiverse customers aren’t niche-done well, they create competitive advantage and loyalty. 2. Small design shifts (sensory load, clarity, choice, accessibility) can unlock demand without massive overhaul. Elephants in the Boardroom is powered by Achilles [https://achilles.com/]. Connect with Graeme and Dean: 1. Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] 2. Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting [Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting] If 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 here www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants [http://www.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 [hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting]

From Signals to Consequences - 2026 Predictions Special

The future isn’t hiding in forecasts or trend reports. It’s already standing in front of us. In this special episode, Graeme Codrington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/] and Dean Van Leeuwen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanvanleeuwen/] 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 mindset * Grey 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 augmentation * A 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 reality * Insurers 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 resistance * Already 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 & cybersecurity * In 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 superpower * As AI intelligence accelerates, human consciousness-empathy, judgement, ethics-becomes scarce and valuable. * Leaders should ask two questions: 1. Where can AI drive efficiency? 2. Where does being human create competitive advantage? 📉 The AI investment bubble * Not 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 geopolitics * The 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 optimism * Amid 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 [https://achilles.com/]. Connect with Graeme and Dean: * Connect with Graeme on LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/graemecodrington/]  * Email Dean at Dean@tomorrowtoday.consulting If 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 here www.tomorrowtodayglobal.com/greyelephants [http://www.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 [hello@tomorrowtoday.consulting]