There’s a gap in our understanding of the relationship between digital business models – which are pervasive – and the quasi- and fully-automated algorithmic-based solutions available to business problem-solvers. The challenge was recently described in a recent Harvard Business Review article by Mike Walsh with the timely title, “Why Business Leaders Need to Understand Their Algorithms.”

Futurist Mike Walsh has good news and bad news for financial services executives leading and working in the Algorithmic Age. Jobs won't go away, but they will change radically and sometimes the smartest move will be to kill your own job and reimagine the process and your place in it. He discusses his 10 principles for survival in the new digital ecosystem in an exclusive Banking Transformed podcast interview.

Algorithms already control everything from the software in our smart devices to the artificial intelligence in large manufacturing plants. Today’s CEOs must understand how to operate in such an interconnected and digitally driven world, writes futurist Mike Walsh of consulting company Tomorrow. He says, “You need to be a connector, not a controller. You are an integral part of a root system that has no center or edge and that relies on you to feed it nutrients and expand its connections.” As machines take on more jobs, he says, we will still “need real-life humans … who know how to best orchestrate the capabilities of machines that are smarter than us.” CEOs can transform themselves into algorithmic leaders by following ten principles—such as embracing uncertainty, thinking computationally, and solving for purpose. Walsh remains hopeful about the future, predicting that only humans will be able to use machine intelligence to “create experiences, transform organizations, and reinvent the world.”

Tech Data sat down with Futurist and thought leader Mike Walsh to get his insights on creating an agile workplace. Mike has traveled the globe speaking with industry leaders and is sought after by companies like Tech Data and our partners to help energize business and position themselves for the future. He took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his views on what it means to be agile and why it’s vital for companies to adapt to our rapidly-changing work environments.

Mike Walsh is a top innovation and futurist speaker, bestselling author, and IoT expert. He is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing business for the 21st century, the bestselling author of Futuretainment, and publisher of the “Disruptive Future” blog read by thousands of professionals. He was recognized as one of Australia’s “Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30.” Rather than focusing on the distant future, Mike focuses on the next five years. His views have appeared in many publications, including BusinessWeek, and Forbes.