Refocus on Your People: Lessons from 2025 to Ignite 2026 Success
As we wrap up 2025, full of economic twists, AI leaps, and shifting employee expectations, I've been reflecting with my clients, and across the spectrum, the clear driver of growth this year has indisputably been prioritizing people.
COMPANIES WHO MADE AN INTENTIONAL SHIFT TO PLACE PEOPLE AND CULTURE ON THEIR STRATEGIC PLAN, BESIDE FINANCE AND OPERATIONS, SAW EBITDA SKYROCKET BY 2.7 TIMES IN JUST THREE YEARS (Mckinsey).
I've spent over 20 years helping organizations, from Fortune 100 giants to Virginia's small and mid-sized businesses, turn people challenges into real business advantages. And in 2025, that focus paid off bigger than ever.
Why Putting People First Isn't Optional—It's Essential
When you invest in your team, the returns come quickly:
Innovation & Creativity: Engaged people bring the ideas that keep your business ahead of the competitive curve.
Retention & Loyalty: Valued employees stick around, saving you the headache (and cost) of constant hiring.
Productivity & Performance: Supported teams deliver more, hitting your bottom line harder.
Talent Attraction & Reputation: A great culture pulls in top performers and builds your employee value proposition.
Adaptability for What's Next: With AI changing everything, upskilling your team creates the resilience you need.
Practical Steps to Refocus in 2026
Here's what I recommend, based on what’s worked for my clients this year:
Listen and Act Quick pulse surveys aren't enough. Share results and make visible changes. I've seen engagement soar when leaders do this.
Invest in Real Growth Targeted coaching, mentorship, or training in emotional intelligence and new tools. It's not an expense—it's building your leadership bench.
Foster a Culture People Love Prioritize inclusion, open communication, and celebrating wins. Simple, but transformative.
Support Flexibility and Well-Being Hybrid options, no-contact zones (i.e., after-hour emails), and mental health resources prevent burnout and show you care.
Look Ahead Run a skills audit to align your team with emerging demands. Future-proofing starts now.
Need A Partner?
This year, I've watched turnover drop up to 30% for clients who committed to these strategies.
TEAMS BECAME MORE ACCOUNTABLE, LEADERS MORE CONFIDENT, AND BUSINESSES RAN SMOOTHER, WITHOUT THE CEO IN EVERY FIRE.
As a fractional Chief People Officer and executive coach, I come alongside you to cut through the noise, identify barriers, and design custom roadmaps (culture assessments, retainer partnerships, leadership programs) that help you create a workplace where everyone thrives, but without the expense of a full-time executive.
If you're a Virginia SMB leader ready for sustainable growth in 2026, let's talk and explore what's possible for your team.
Here's to a year of stronger teams and bigger results! 🎉 #LeadershipDevelopment #HRStrategy #EmployeeEngagement #VirginiaBusiness #2026Ready
