Beneath the noise: what leaders can’t ignore in 2026

As we wrap up 2025 and look toward 2026, I'm reflecting on three forces that defined this year and will shape the future of business: artificial intelligence, the war for talent, and climate resilience. These aren't just buzzwords; I've felt their impact firsthand in my advisory work and personal life. I'd like to share some of those experiences and what I believe 2026 and beyond will bring for each of these trends.

Climate: our collective responsibility

Climate resilience has never been more urgent, and I’ve felt this personally. In 2025, We've reached a milestone by disconnecting both our private home and our Dutch office from natural gas, moving toward 100% renewable energy.

I’ve never understood why caring for the planet gets labeled as “left” or “right” or "conservative" or "progressive". Climate change affects all of us, whatever our political preference is. There’s been some political pushback in some countries on climate initiatives lately. But the train has left the station. The big energy transtition is underway. The investments already made are huge. The facts are plain: we all need to do our part, if only out of enlightened self-interest. My message to fellow business leaders is simple: do something. You secure your license to operate in the future, you will be able to attract and retain better people from the market (especially Gen Z cares a lot), increase your sales impact both in B2B and B2C because more buyers care. Research is clear on this, companies that lead and invest in climate action deliver superior sustainable results. The total impact of climate action is that you drive your financial performance and reduce risks. ....and it's the right thing to do.... making a positive difference. Win win. 

AI: from buzzword to business reality

Not long ago, AI was mostly a buzzword – an exciting topic for conferences and strategy talks. Now it’s rapidly becoming a core part of business operations. I’ve watched this transformation unfold in our own consulting practice. What started as casual conversations about the potential of AI has evolved into concrete projects in our clients’ strategies. One client I worked with began the year thinking AI was a distant prospect; by December, they were piloting an AI-driven customer service assistant. I expect this acceleration to continue into 2026 and beyond.

There’s also a lot of debate about AI’s impact on jobs. Will it automate away roles and leave people sidelined, or will it create new opportunities? We don't have all the answers yet. History offers perspective: we’ve seen waves of mechanization, automation, and robotics in the past, and each time people feared mass unemployment, we found new kinds of work and adapted. I’m optimistic that AI will augment what we do rather than replace us. Our challenge as leaders is to embrace AI’s potential while preparing our people to grow alongside it. That means investing in training and education, and focusing on the uniquely human skills that no algorithm can replicate.

The war for talent: A leadership imperative

The competition for great talent was intense this year, and I had several moments that drove this reality home. We have witnessed several situations in 2025 where clients and other realtions from our network experienced first hand how this impacted their business negatively. For me, this underlines a clear point: the people dimension of business is more strategic than ever.

Winning the war for talent isn’t just an HR issue; it’s a leadership issue. We as business leaders need to make talent a top priority. That means actively building a culture where people want to work, investing in professional development, and listening to what employees value. It also means being creative and flexible – whether through hybrid work options, improved benefits, or aligning roles with a sense of purpose. The fight to attract and retain the right people will only get tougher in 2026. Companies that treat their employees as their most important asset will gain a true competitive edge. They will have better resources to execute their growth plans.

Looking ahead to 2026

Standing at the doorstep of 2026, I am both hopeful and determined. My wish for the new year is that we double down on these megatrends in positive ways. I hope to see climate resilience become even momre mainstream in business, rather than just a side initiative. I hope AI continues to be embraced with wisdom – used to empower people, not replace them. And I hope every leadership team recognizes that putting people first is the key to business growth. 

So as we step into 2026, my call to action is this: be proactive. Whether it's cutting your carbon footprint, investing in AI skills for your team, or mentoring your talent, do something that makes a positive difference. The future isn’t just something that happens to us – it’s something we can heavily infleunce through our actions today. Let’s enter the new year with purpose and make sure our businesses, our people, and our planet can thrive.

Wishing you a prosperous, innovative, and sustainable New Year.

Paul Donkers

Paul P.J. Donkers is a global business coach and management consultant. Together with his partners at tèn company, he has spent decades working with leadership teams to navigate transformations and unlock sustainable value. You can find out more about their work at tencompany.org or through the Ikigai Coaching Institute. For a confidential conversation, feel free to reach out via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..