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Every morning brings a new disruption. From AI reshaping entire industries to economic upheaval affecting global markets, today’s HR leaders face an unprecedented pace of change that can feel overwhelming—and that’s exactly why James Patterson and Dr. Patrick Leddin believe their upcoming HR Tech keynote couldn’t be more timely.
“Disruption happens fast—faster, harder, more extreme, instant,” author Patterson explains, distinguishing between gradual change and disruption: “It’s more of a bomb.”
The bestselling author has partnered with leadership expert Leddin for their Sept. 17 keynote, “Disrupt Everything and Win: Take Control of Your Future,” at HR Tech 2025.
From the classroom to the global stage
Their collaboration began in an unexpected place—a Vanderbilt University course on leading through crisis. What started as a guest speaking opportunity evolved into something much larger.
During Patterson’s presentation to Leddin’s students at Vanderbilt, he posed the simple but profound question: “Are you living a good life, or are you on a treadmill?” meaning that repeating the same behaviors robs one of positive opportunities.
Inspired by the idea that people can disrupt that “treadmill,” Leddin convinced the university’s chancellor to sponsor the Disruption Project, a multi-year research initiative he led at Vanderbilt University. While Patterson wasn’t
