Preparing for 2026 in the stillness of New Year’s Eve eve
The stillness between seasons
The final days of December carry a specific rhythm. The rowdiness of Christmas has faded; the full tables, laughter, and chaos of wrapping paper are behind us. But the anticipated New Year’s celebrations are still a day or so away
In this quiet period the urgency of product cycles and transformation agendas give way to something slower, something more deliberate, and something more reflective. It feels like downtime, but it’s more than that. This in between space offers leaders a rare opportunity to step back, breathe, and turn reflection into intention for the year ahead
Looking back at 2025
Reflection is best done in calmer moments, and a few truths stand as I look back:
Too many priorities diluted focus and quality. We chased breadth, but depth often suffered
Fatigue showed. High performers carried the load, but the cost was visible in energy and engagement
Narratives shaped outcomes. Sponsors remembered the stories we told, not just the dashboards we shared
Technology accelerated, but judgment mattered most. AI, automation, outsourcing, and offshoring reshaped workflows and workforces, but clarity, empathy, and influence determined success
Business was tough, but life was sometimes even tougher. World events unfolded, cost of living crises escalated, and we grieved for people and places we lost along the way
These reflections should be signals for how 2026 must be different
The reset
From this vantage point in the middle of a holiday break, during reflection, and in anticipation, a few things feel clear:
January will set the tone. The first 30 days shape the year ahead. Enter prepared, and you will set the pace
Sponsors will be attentive. Even in holiday mode, they will be sketching out their expectations for 2026 in their mind. A leader who signals readiness early will earn trust
Teams will seek meaning. They will return from the holiday break scanning for clarity. Leaders who are clear on purpose and crisp on communication will invoke confidence and engagement
Energy will be contagious. Optimism, discipline, and focus ripple outwards. Fatigue and vagueness do too, and so it’s up to you to define the energy you want to see and feel by role modelling it first
The invisible game will reset. Influence, optics, and narrative control don’t pause for the holidays. They begin anew and often with fresh energy and fresh perspectives. The political dynamics may have shifted between the last working day in 2025 and the first working day of 2026. Don’t be complacent and expect to pick things up where you left them
Setting intentions for 2026
So what does it mean to enter 2026 differently? For me, it’s about setting intentions. Calm, deliberate choices that shape how you lead. Examples could include:
Clarity over chaos. Fewer, shaper priorities
Influence that lasts. Build alliances that withstand volatility
Resilient leadership. Transformations paced so that high performers stay engaged
Narrative control. Outcomes framed before dashboards define your destiny
Human edge in the era of AI. Judgment, empathy, and political acumen sharpened to complement and take advantage of technology
Agility under volatility. Pivot pathways identified and prepared before the markets shift underneath your feet
Purpose and trust. Authentic leadership to meet rising expectations
Outcome focus. Success defined in concrete, measurable terms
These aren’t resolutions that you set and forget about by the end of January. These are intentions that help set the direction on how you might lead in 2026. They are your north star, your guiding compass, and your ability to know when you’ve crossed the line or skate close to operating outside of your integrity
What intentions will you set for yourself? Whatever they are, make sure they are true to you and you can hold yourself accountable in the toughest moments that will be presented to you in the year ahead
Gratitude for 2025
None of these reflections happen in isolation as they draw upon your lived experiences. I’m grateful for everyone who has challenged, supported, and inspired me this year. The conversations we’ve had, the risks we took together, and the trust we built made 2025 not just survivable but a year to remember. Leadership isn’t just about pressure and performance, it’s about connection, meaning, and the stories that we carry forward
Call to action for 2026
2026 will demand clarity, resilience, and influence from day one. When you’re in a senior product and transformation role, this can be trying when you’ve got to go at it alone. It’s true when they say the higher you get in your career, the lonelier it will be. That’s why coaching can be the best investment you make for your own sanity in 2026. It gives you a sounding board, structure, accountability, and a human edge to turn those demands into measurable results
Interested to learn more?