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,” says Patterson, distinguishing between gradual change and disruption: “It’s more of a bomb.”
The bestselling author has partnered with leadership expert Leddin for a keynote titled “Disrupt Everything and Win: Take Control of Your Future,” set for Sept. 17 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. While Patterson wasn’t directly involved in the research, the concept was germinated during his presentation to Leddin’s students, which ultimately inspired their new book and associated course, presented by FranklinCovey.
“We had a chance to sit down and interview 350 positive disruptors around the world, from household names to unsung heroes,” Leddin says. The goal was to identify the specific processes, mindsets and behaviors that enable some people to thrive amid constant change while others struggle to keep up.
Balancing disruption at work and at home
For HR professionals juggling organizational strategy with individual employee needs, the duo says research reveals something crucial: Disruption affects both professional performance and personal wellbeing in interconnected ways. This reminder is especially important as HR leaders consider not only their wellbeing but also that of the employees they support.
“We need to deal with what happens with people when they go home,” Patterson emphasizes. This dual focus on work-life integration reflects Patterson’s storytelling approach—his Alex Cross character, he says, exemplifies the challenge of balancing an intense career with family commitments.
As Leddin notes, HR leaders often feel torn: “Sometimes it can be, ‘I don’t want to go into the office on Monday morning,’ and other times, ‘I don’t want to go home at the end of the day.’ In either situation, they’re not living a good life.”
Read more: See the lineup at HR Tech Conference 2025 in Las Vegas
‘Positive disruption’ at HR Tech
Rather than simply helping people endure disruption, Patterson and Leddin focus on what they call “positive disruption”—proactively creating change rather than merely reacting to it. This shift in mindset is particularly relevant for HR professionals navigating a range of challenges, from AI implementation to managing a multigenerational workforce.
“The thing is, you have to begin to change your mindset,” says Leddin. Rather than focusing on surviving or enduring disruption, he says that HR leaders can leverage it by using their strengths to collaborate with others.
The authors emphasize that HR professionals are uniquely positioned to drive positive disruption throughout their companies. “Nobody’s more connected [than HR] in an organization to identifying talent and building relationships and creating systems that grow people and develop people,” Leddin notes.
Rather than waiting for external solutions, Leddin encourages HR leaders to recognize existing assets: “See what’s in your hands. You’ve got resources, you’ve got connections, and you may have budget if you’re lucky. You have lots of different things that you can begin to apply to have a positive impact.”
Turning turmoil into opportunity
Patterson and Leddin say their keynote will combine reflection with practical insights. They aim to make the session engaging while also providing the audience with ideas to consider and actions to take afterward, Leddin says.
Rather than offering a static solution, their approach provides what Patterson calls “a program that fits all”—a flexible framework that can be applied to diverse challenges, from team burnout to organizational restructuring to technology implementation.
As disruption continues to accelerate across industries, Patterson and Leddin’s research offers HR professionals something increasingly rare: a roadmap for transforming constant change from a source of stress into a strategic advantage.
“In general, people aren’t specifically thinking about disruption when they enter the room. They should be,” Patterson notes. “And hopefully, when they leave, they will be.”
James Patterson and Dr. Patrick Leddin will present “Disrupt Everything and Win: Take Control of Your Future” at 8 a.m. Sept. 17 at HR Tech 2025. A book signing and giveaway will follow the session. Register now.
