Episode Details

We’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 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 is Digital Director at TomorrowToday Consulting and leads their work on educ