You’ve probably seen those grainy clips of Donald Trump on Oprah 15 years ago telling anyone who’d listen that tariffs were coming.
Fast‑forward to the Oval Office and, sure enough, duties landed on just about every nation (yes, even a penguin‑only island).
Most boardrooms gasped. China didn’t.
- Visa squeeze on Harvard students?
‑ Within 24 hours, every affected learner received: “Same fees, any top Chinese university – welcome.” - Research restrictions?
‑ A week later, professors got 10‑year, fully‑funded research offers – pick your city, pack your lab. - Sweeping tariffs?
‑ Alternate export corridors and incentive packages rolled out.
To some, it may have looked like clairvoyance – but it was simply scenario planning executed with military precision.
Why this matters for your C‑suite
- Multipolar geopolitics punishes the unprepared.
- Advantage flows to leaders with “if‑then” scripts ready before the headlines hit.
- Disruption is a doorway; readiness decides whether you take advantage of the opportunities that it presents or get trampled.
🎧 New podcast episode: Elephants in the Boardroom
In our latest episode, Graeme and Dean discuss this and other stories, where Grey Elephants are reshaping strategy in 2025:
- How to weaponise foresight against tariff shocks, talent blocks and supply‑chain squeezes.
- Practical playbook templates our clients use to turn uncertainty into competitive edge.
- Why “pre‑approved authority” can save teams – and reputations – when crises strike.
P.S. Prefer to read? Download the updated Grey Elephants 2025 White Paper here.
TomorrowToday empowers forward-thinking organisations to not just anticipate the future but to shape it. To learn more about the 7 Grey Elephants transforming our world, book a 30-minute strategy call with our team today.
The Elephants in the Boardroom podcast is brought to you by Achilles Information Limited.