The new year is around the corner. As AI is rapidly taking over tasks and global uncertainty and complexity increases, the question is: what does this mean for the leader of the future?

We asked 6 Gump team members: What leadership trend do you expect for 2026?

Matthijs Loop: ”AI is the buzzword of our time. There's no getting around it, even when it comes to leadership development. In fact: especially when it comes to leadership development. With a well-founded report, beyond the buzz, McKinsey shows how important the role of executives is in making AI succeed: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai”

Tymon Geul: “Purpose driven leadership will remain an important theme in 2026. Due to the great uncertainty in the world, including geopolitical tensions and the rapid rise of AI, people are looking for guidance in meaning. Leaders and organizations that offer direction, meaning and trust make the difference here.”

Dasha: van der Reijden: “Focus on developing awareness skills. Now that AI can take over more and more cognitive tasks for us, it is precisely our human ability to give meaning and determine direction that is becoming more important. In 2026, leadership development will continue to shift from knowledge skills to developing “inner capabilities” such as emotional regulation, personal leadership and systemic awareness. By paying more attention to the inner world of leaders, these qualities become conscious, visible and developable, the basis for future-proof leadership.”

Jan-Jaap Lukas: “Polarities are only increasing, in society and within organizations. There is a less clear-cut view of: What's the right thing to do? And what will it look like in six months? As a result, leadership is moving from providing certainty to creating clarity. Clarity is about from where you act, being transparent about it and also being aware of your own biases. Leading from the inside out, instead of this is the dot on the horizon and this is how we're going to get there.”

Anouk Soetens: “2026 leaders are harnessing the power of calmness. Especially in the midst of rapid changes and increasing unrest. Staying calm doesn't mean being passive, but being consciously present, focused and resilient. It brings clarity, builds trust and creates space for intentional action.

Gijsbert Bary: “Leaders are in enormous complexity and multiplicity every day. They are extremely busy with everything that needs to be done. There is a reflex to focus mainly on what requires attention today, or yesterday's problems. Busy in the here and now, but who cares about what it will take in a year or two? Leaders must consciously create time in 2026 to form this vision and give direction.”

Leaders: Which of these trends do you want to develop in?