Jim Harris is one of North America’s foremost thinkers on AI, generative AI and disruptive innovation, known for delivering high impact keynotes at more than sixty events each year. His biggest achievement is being named Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada in 2024, recognising his influence across global executive audiences. Jim’s work blends clear analysis with practical direction, giving leaders a reliable guide through the fast changing landscape of modern business. His reputation as one of North America’s top ten speakers reflects the strength of his insight and the value he brings to organisations navigating transformation.
Jim’s journey began in Canada, where he earned a BA in English and Politics at Queen’s University. The mix of analytical thinking and broad social perspective shaped his early understanding of leadership, systems and change. One of his most formative roles came soon after, when he represented the Covey Leadership Center from 1992 to 1996, teaching Stephen Covey’s ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ to organisations across the country. This experience sharpened his communication skills and taught him how to guide leaders through periods of transition. Jim often reflects on running multi day workshops where senior teams learned to align personal values with strategic goals, an experience that influenced the coaching style he uses today.
Throughout his career, Jim has earned a series of notable achievements. His book ‘Blindsided!’ became a #1 international bestseller, published in eighty countries and selected by Soundview Executive Summaries as one of the year’s top business titles. He also wrote ‘The Learning Paradox’, another bestseller that strengthened his reputation as a leading voice on change and innovation. Jim has held distinguished roles including Program Director at the Schulich School of Business, Faculty Member at the Schulich Executive Education Centre, and Advisory Board Member for Green Living Enterprises. He later launched ‘Disruption’ magazine, adding another platform for exploring emerging trends. As a consultant, Jim has worked with organisations such as American Express, IBM, Walmart, Barclays Bank, SAP, Munich Re, Zurich Insurance and the UK Cabinet Office, helping leaders anticipate risk and act with clarity in periods of uncertainty.
People book Jim because he helps executive teams understand the forces shaping the future and how to respond with confidence. He covers AI, generative AI, digital transformation, innovation and leadership in turbulent times, offering practical examples that leaders can apply immediately. These topics matter because organisations face unprecedented shifts in technology, workforce dynamics and global risk that demand new ways of thinking and leading. Jim brings deep experience, clear frameworks and engaging storytelling that help teams stay focused and ready for change. His guidance gives leaders the tools to anticipate disruption and turn uncertainty into opportunity, making him a trusted voice for organisations preparing for the future.
Social Media
Books
Blindsided: How To Spot The Next Breakthrough That Will Change Your Business Forever
The Learning Paradox: Gaining Success & Security In a World of Change
Jim Harris's official speaking topics are listed below:
The AI Revolution
This keynote explores how AI reshapes business, government and society, with productivity gains ranging from tenfold to several thousandfold. Jim highlights practical applications, case studies and tools that improve customer experience, shorten cycle times, increase sales and cut costs. He explains how AI supports functions such as finance, marketing and customer service, and examines how health care alone could save billions each year through effective adoption. The session guides leaders through the implications of AI, the steps required to begin their journey and the resources that support successful implementation. Delegates come away with clear strategies to harness AI’s transformative potential.
Leading in Turbulent Times: VUCA, Agility and Resilience
This session examines the realities of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, showing leaders how to build responsive and resilient organisations. Jim outlines the pace of global change through real market examples, illustrating how economic shocks, geopolitical tensions and technological disruption reshape business conditions overnight. He explains how leaders can strengthen decision making, create adaptable systems and inspire teams during uncertainty. The keynote covers issues such as tariffs, supply chains, AI, cybersecurity and global risk. Attendees learn how to stay focused, act decisively and guide their organisations through disruption with agility and purpose.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
“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.”- Geoff, Centre for Management & Policy Studies, UK Cabinet Office
"Jim Harris did a great job! He knocked the ball out of the park talking to a crowd of 350 construction industry people here at the Ottawa Construction Association. I got a lot of great feedback that it was actionable items, something they were going to move on right away and they were going to pursue so you can't do better than what Jim did at our annual general meeting. Jim was a pleasure to work with him and his supporting team, easy to coordinate, did a great job of research in our group, researching with my board of directors. He really invested time and effort to deliver a A-Plus presentation. What Jim did for a construction crowd was bang on for the times. Everyone's questioning "What's the impact of AI in construction?" We're all on the same level of learning and Jim provided us that education and a path to go forward." - John, Executive Director, Ottawa Construction Association
"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 organisation." - Lorella, Program Director, York University, Schulich School of Business
“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, Chairman & Co-CEO, Research in Motion
"Jim Harris did a great job! He knocked the ball out of the park talking to a crowd of 350 construction industry people. I got a lot of great feedback that it was actionable items. Jim was a pleasure to work with." - John, Executive Director, Ottawa Construction Association
"Jim engages the minds and hearts of participants with his informative content, style and humour. He is exceptional at refreshing and adding current and relevant content to his programs." - Lorella, Program Director, York University, Schulich School of Business
- 2024 - Speaker of the Year, TEC Canada
- 2018 - Launched 'Disruption' Magazine
- 2014 - Awarded Canada’s Clean50
- 2007 - Advisory Board Member, Green Living Enterprises
- 2006 - National Advisory Board Member, Fair Vote Canada
- 2003 - Author of Blindsided! (#1 International Bestseller)
- 1998 - Author of The Learning Paradox
- 1992-1996 - Covey Leadership Center Representative, teaching The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
How to hire Jim Harris
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Jim Harris for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
