Jim Harris
About Jim Harris
“"I launched the Center of Excellence for Sales Leadership at York University's Schulich Executive Education Centre with the 13-day Masters Certificate Program and the 5 day Executive Sales Management Program. Jim Harris was one of my faculty for both programs. He is exceptional. Jim engages the minds and hearts of participants with his informative content, style and humour. Jim is able to create a complete shift in participants' outlook in just a single session. I always learn something new every session I attend with Jim because it is never canned content. He is exceptional at refreshing and adding current and relevant content to his programs. In all my years in sales I've never met anyone who can create such a shift in such a short time. I would highly recommend him to any executive team looking to shift the outlook, behaviour and outcomes they are seeking from a sales team or sales organization."”
Speech topics
Leading in Turbulent Times
VUCA: Building Agility & Resilience
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.
Speaking videos
Media coverage
Why Mobile First Firms Are Crucial
Mobile Centric Companies Have 825% Higher Valuation on IPO
The Covid Crisis is Accelerating Digital Transformation
How COVID Crisis has accelerated digital transformation, mobile first and AI centric strategies and companies:
Books by Jim Harris
“Blindsided: How to Spot the Next Breakthrough That Will Change Your Business” (2002)
“The Learning Paradox: Gaining Success and Security in a World of Change, 2nd Edition” (2001)
Topics
At a glanceJim Harris
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