The start of a new year is an ideal time to look at current leadership trends and what modern leaders must master to continue successfully leading their teams or organisations. Here are five skills managers and team leaders will need in 2026.
Digital literacy and working with AI
According to Addicted2Success.com, AI is more than a mere trend: while its application at all levels may seem exaggerated, it is already an integral part of corporate processes and effective team management. Keep up with the times, don't be too conservative, and learn to use AI tools in your work.
Change management
The rapid pace of technological and societal change means managers face constant adaptation. Effective managers need to understand change management, namely how to implement and evaluate changes and how team members respond to them.
Emphasis on employee development
Education and development are no longer merely perks; they are essential in most professions and industries. Managers have to emphasise continuous long term development of their subordinates to ensure the team remains competitive.
Strategic planning
Modern teams cannot succeed by operating on autopilot or relying on outdated methods. Managers must learn to look to the future, occasionally pause, and strategically plan how their team and processes should evolve in response to industry changes.
Ethical and responsible leadership
Sustainability, social and personal responsibility, and ethics are now integral to leadership. Managers are expected to lead their teams in accordance with these principles.
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