At Coleman Search Group, we enjoy sharing our perspectives on the future of talent, leadership, and change in our industry. This article, originally posted on LinkedIn by Matthew Nickens, encourages professionals to embrace the opportunities that come with uncertainty and lean into change as a catalyst for growth in 2026. Here is his latest perspective on what this year may bring:
While I expect 2026 to be just as chaotic as 2025, I see this year as a chance to lean into change for the better.
I hear from talented candidates and thoughtful leaders across the industry and I talk to them about the challenges they’re facing. They recognize the messy and uncertain environment we are operating in, in addition to the myriad of concerns it has created. Many professionals have opted for a wait-and-see approach to change, whether it’s choosing to postpone a job change until the market calms or waiting for the AI problem to solve itself. The clock has run out for this short-sighted approach. If we’ve learned anything from the events of this decade, it’s that change is constant, and turning a blind eye to it will neither slow nor stop it. And while it may seem that we have little control of what goes on around us, we are presented with the choice of either adapting to the situation or risk being left behind.
This is the year that will be defined by those who seize the reins of their own destiny versus those who will be relegated to the sidelines, captive to their own circumstances. This is the year to take strategic action for the betterment of your present and future. This includes self-reflection to better understand what is driving the change within you. This will enable you to thoughtfully chart your own path forward instead of waiting without end for your circumstances to perfectly align.
It’s time we accept that AI is not going anywhere. Instead of participating in an endless string of fear mongering, we instead stake our place alongside it. While AI as a tool brings value to our business, our industry still revolves around people and therein lies a key part of the solution: your humanity. People are what make this industry special. While employees need to be technically proficient – learning the relevant job skills are more important than ever – they also require exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to develop human relationships. Despite the increasing presence of machine-intelligence, the value of human-to-human interactions will only increase.
The time for action is now and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish with this opportunity.
By Matt Nickens, Partner, Coleman Search Group
