The next era of leadership is arriving faster than most organizations are prepared for. As AI transforms work, hybrid teams redefine collaboration, and expectations rise for human-centered leadership, development strategies must evolve—or risk falling behind.
Mursion’s latest thought leadership guide, The Future of Leadership Development: 5 Trends Defining 2026, uncovers how top-performing organizations are reshaping learning to build confident, adaptable leaders ready for what’s next.”
Inside the Report
Drawing on insights from leading organizations and new research, this eBook reveals how high-performing organizations are transforming leadership development today.
- 58% of high-performing organizations rely on just-in-time, modular learning to sustain productivity (Brandon Hall, 2023)
- 81% of companies say emotional intelligence will be critical to leadership success in the next year (Brandon Hall Group, 2024)
- Organizations using data-driven L&D report 46% higher retention and 37% higher productivity (Continu Report)
Each trend highlighted in the report includes practical examples, expert commentary, and actionable insights you can apply to strengthen your own leadership programs.
Featuring a Foreword by Joe Fuller, Harvard Business School
In the foreword, Joe Fuller, Professor of Management Practice at Harvard Business School, argues that leadership success now depends on practice, not theory.
He writes, “The future belongs to organizations that embrace practice as the engine of performance and to leaders who show up ready when it matters most.”
Why It Matters
The leaders who will thrive in 2026 aren’t those with the most experience—they’re those who can learn, adapt, and connect faster than the pace of change. This guide offers a roadmap to build those capabilities now, blending human-centered skill-building, AI-powered personalization, and immersive, practice-based learning.
