The document discusses the challenges of leadership in the 21st century age of algorithms and AI. It argues that traditional organizations cannot meet customer expectations set by digital giants, and must undergo a profound digital transformation. The introduction then provides background on Mike Walsh, a global futurist and author who advises organizations on digital transformation. Walsh has synthesized research and interviews into 10 principles for algorithmic leadership that can help organizations and leaders thrive in this era of disruptive technological change.

1. NEW RULES
FOR A NEW
WORLD
M I K E W A L S H
2020
Tomorrow

2. There has never been a more exciting and challenging time to be a 21st century leader. Tomorrow’s
customers, accustomed to real-time, personalized experiences made possible by data, algorithms
and machine-learning, will demand an unprecedented level of product and service. And in order to
meet those expectations, tomorrow’s companies will need to be agile, responsive and driven by the
very same digital DNA as the giants of e-commerce, media and entertainment.
Algorithms and AI are transforming not only business, but every facet of consumer life - from how we
communicate, to the way we shop and entertain ourselves. No traditional organization, defined by
silos, departments and static job titles can meet the scale of that challenge, without a profound
digital transformation. But while many fear that robots will take their jobs, the rise of machine
intelligence begs a more important question: what is the true potential of human leadership in the
21st century?
I N T R O D U C T I O N
M I K E W A L S H
Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing
companies for the 21st century. A global nomad, futurist and author
of the bestselling book, The Algorithmic Leader, he advises some of
the world’s biggest organizations on digital transformation and
disruptive innovation. Mike’s views have appeared in a wide range of
publications including Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine,
BusinessWeek, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

3. THERE IS NO DIGITAL
DISRUPTION, JUST
DIGITAL DELIVERY
WWW.MIKE-WALSH.COM
R U L E # 1

4. If you are not a digital
business, you are no
longer in business

5. The pandemic has accelerated the digital reinvention of
the world. The new era of AI-powered competition will
reshape industries and organizations forever. Reinvent
how you deliver value, shift from intuition to facts, and
build your infrastructure for insight.
T H E I N S I G H T

6. Constantly challenge your own assumptions about the
future. What are you missing? What can you learn from
the youngest members of your team? How can you
better incorporate their frame of reference into your
own ideas?
N E X T A C T I O N

7. If an Amazon or Alibaba decided to enter the
alcoholic beverages market, which segment would
they target to scale, and how might they approach
the opportunity differently?
M I N D G R E N A D E

8. THERE IS NO REMOTE
WORK, JUST WORK
WWW.MIKE-WALSH.COM
R U L E # 2

9. WWW.MIKE-WALSH.COM
MOBILITY
AUTONOMY
MEMORY
OBJECTIVITY
VELOCITY
}
It is not where
we work that is
changing,
it is the how
The 5 drivers of
distributed work

10. Remote work is just the beginning of a much bigger
revolution that is changing the nature of business
itself. Mobility, autonomy, memory, objectivity and
velocity are five values that will define 21st digital
organizations.
T H E I N S I G H T

11. Nurture a discussion channel on your
collaboration platform that allows people
from across the organization to share stories
of #transformation.
N E X T A C T I O N

12. What is a long held belief, orthodoxy or habit
in your team or organization that you would
love to change? What is the right data that
could help you explain your idea?
M I N D G R E N A D E

13. AI WILL NOT
DESTROY JOBS, IT
WILL CHANGE THEM
R U L E # 3

14. WWW.MIKE-WALSH.COM
The algorithmic leader of the
future will need to combine a
deep understanding of
human complexity with a
flair for computational
thinking

15. T H E I N S I G H T
Leadership is more important than ever, but we need to
evolve and adapt. When we automate, we have to elevate
our teams; we need to retain our human perspective; and
most importantly, be ready to challenge the future with a
strong moral compass.

16. What can you do as a leader to better drive digital
transformation in your organization? Write a
personal transformation plan for the areas of
change, either technological or cultural, that you
can influence in your role.
N E X T A C T I O N

17. Imagine that in 5 years time someone is
interviewing for the job you have at the moment.
What would be the most important skill they would
need to have, that is not as essential today?
M I N D G R E N A D E

18. 1.Work backward from the future
2.Aim for 10X not 10%
3.Think computationally
4.Embrace uncertainty
5.Make culture is your operating system
6.Don’t work, design work
7.Automate and elevate
8.If the answer is X, ask Y
9.When in doubt, ask a human
10.Solve for purpose, not just profit

19. We live in an age of wonder: cars that drive themselves,
devices that anticipate our needs, and robots capable of
everything from advanced manufacturing to complex
surgery. Welcome to the algorithmic age: an extraordinary
time to be a consumer, a challenging time to be a leader.
Futurist and global nomad Mike Walsh has synthesized
years of research and extensive interviews with some of the
world’s top business leaders, AI pioneers and data scientists
into a set of 10 principles about what it takes to succeed in
the algorithmic age.
The Algorithmic Leader offers a hopeful and practical
guide for leaders of all types, and organizations of all sizes,
to thrive in this era of disruptive technological change. By
applying Walsh’s 10 core principles, readers will be able to
design their own journey of personal transformation,
harness the power of algorithms, and chart a clear path
ahead – for their company, for their team, and for
themselves.
The Algorithmic Leader
How to be smart when machines are smarter than you
Discover the 10 principles that every leader needs to
survive and thrive in the Algorithmic Age. Available
now in hardcover, ebook or as an audiobook…
You heard the talk, now read the book!

21. Tomorrow