2026 Business Trends and Predictions - Part 1

Are you feeling the shifting landscape of business and wondering what it will take to grow sustainably in 2026?

Too much complexity in teams, AI showing up everywhere, and endless advice on what to focus on, and there’s a lot to sift through, and there are some nuances that make a big difference.

The market is moving faster than it has in years, and next year is shaping up to be one defined by experimentation, adaptation, and a renewed focus on what truly works.

I have my top trends and predictions for 2026 and how you can set your business up for success, even as everything keeps moving fast, including:

• Where AI fits (and doesn’t) in your team structure
• Team design principles for the new year
• How content is shifting and what it means for your programs
• New ways to build real connections as you automate
• What success and scale look like in 2026 and beyond

I also unpack this in episode 257 of the Simplify to Scale Show. 

These insights matter because they impact every aspect of how you lead, scale, hire, market, and show up in your business.

Tune into Episode 257 of the Simplify to Scale Show or keep reading below.

Lean and Agile Will Be Non-Negotiable in 2026

The call to keep your business lean and agile is not new, but the degree to which it matters next year is different.

Lean and agile businesses have always helped founders simplify and stay adaptable, yet the nuance of what this looks like continues to evolve.

Businesses are operating in an environment where stability is far from guaranteed and where success requires staying responsive to constant change.

This means fewer layers, more clarity, quick decision cycles, focused priorities and structure that supports pivoting when needed,

Lean and agile are not buzzwords for 2026.

They are the container that allows every other part of your business to work.

AI Will Reshape How You Build and Lead Your Team

Artificial intelligence is already here, and by next year, it will become an integrated part of your team structure.

Not as a nice-to-have tool, but as a strategic support layer within your team.

Part of what’s changing looks like this:

• Fewer people will be required for the same output

• AI agents will take on multi-layered execution work

• Businesses will scale with smaller, stronger teams

• Founders will start bragging about how much they accomplish with less

This shift does not involve overworking a smaller team.

It means building an intentional architecture, supported by systems and automation, so your human team members can do what humans do best.

And that is strategic thinking, relational leadership, creativity, and innovation.

This evolution creates an enormous opportunity for consultants, fractionals, and strategic right-hand leaders who know how to design modern, lean, AI-integrated businesses.

Simplification Will Become a Strategic Imperative

One of the strongest themes heading into 2026 is simplification, and not as a preference, but as a requirement.

There is no space for wasted time, energy, or money next year.

Every decision matters.

Simplification (in business model, offers, systems, and team) gives you the space to experiment without creating chaos.

Because experimentation will be another big theme for 2026. 

So you cannot afford additional waste layered on top of natural experimentation cycles.

Connection and Community Will Become Growth Multipliers

As more aspects of business become automated, people crave genuine human connection.

That desire is shaping both buying behavior and brand loyalty.

As a result, you’ll probably see an increase in:

• Strategic partnerships

• Co-hosted experiences

• Curated communities

• High-value rooms and in-person events

• Collaborative growth models

Connection will be a core growth strategy next year.

Communities will continue to surge, and not the fluffy, surface-level kind.

The most valuable ones will be built around shared identity, conversation, thought partnership, and curated groups of peers.

For many founders, partnerships will be one of the most fulfilling and effective ways to expand impact.

Having someone you trust share with their audience, and doing the same for them, is powerful for both reach and resonance.

Storytelling and Emotional Resonance Will Matter More Than Ever

AI-generated content has flooded the market, and much of it sounds identical.

Copying and pasting from AI tools erodes connection and dilutes your brand’s voice.

Customers feel the disconnect, even if they can’t articulate why.

The things that will stand out in 2026 include:

• Telling real stories instead of using stock phrases

• Using an authentic voice over templated-sounding content

• Sharing real lived experiences instead of technical explanations

Your clients want to feel seen.

They want to know you understand them and not only the problems they describe out loud, but the unspoken questions they carry.

Storytelling helps to create that connection.

This is also an area to actively mentor your team on, especially anyone who supports your marketing or copywriting.

Emotional resonance cannot be outsourced without guidance.

Educational Content Must Shift to Experience and Value

Educational content is not disappearing, but it is being redefined.

People no longer lack information, but are in need of guidance when it comes to implementation, clarity, confidence, support and a structured path forward.

As a result, basic or transactional teaching will get lost in the noise.

What will work next year is educational content that is tied to deeper value and experience, such as:

• Live implementation sessions

• Co-creation calls

• High-touch programs

• Interactive learning labs

• Engagement that increases follow-through

People want outcomes, rather than more content to consume.

So the more you help them take meaningful action, the stronger the trust you build.

Your Personal Brand Will Become a Business Growth Engine

One of the biggest trends next year will be the rise of personal ecosystems, as this is the universe your brand creates for people to step into.

Your personal brand is not about becoming an influencer.

It’s about building a world your clients identify with and want to be part of.

Your personal brand becomes the anchor for emotional resonance, loyalty, differentiation, connection, community, trust and leadership.

Your “universe” attracts the people who align with your values and vision, and naturally repels those who don’t (which is a good thing).

Designing Your Path Into 2026

Each of these trends plays an important role in how you grow and scale next year.

When woven together, they paint a clear picture of what it will take to lead effectively, including:

• Focusing on lean and agile structures that let you adapt quickly

• Integrating AI intentionally into your team and operations

• Simplifying at every level

• Getting involved in strategic partnerships and community-driven growth

• Focusing on more emotional resonance and storytelling

• Creating educational experiences that deliver real outcomes

• Building a personal brand that creates a universe people want to join

2026 won't reward complexity, but it will reward clarity, connection, and courageous experimentation.

It will reward founders who can stay focused, simplify what matters, and lead with intention.

As you prepare for the new year, ask yourself which of these trends you will prioritise first, and where you need more support or structure to put them into action.

Want To Get Ahead of These Trends for 2026?

If you want a guided way to map out your plan for 2026 that can help you stay on top of these trends, join me for Propel '26 on December 16th.

This is a one-day virtual strategic planning retreat where we’ll build your roadmap for a lean, agile, and high-impact year ahead.

For ongoing support, I also invite you to join our SOL Collective community, where forward-thinking fractionals, consultants, founders, and right-hand leaders sharpen their strategic leadership skills, stay ahead of shifting expectations and apply AI with purpose, and elevate their positioning to stand out in an ever-evolving market. 

Here's to building a business designed for the future, and one that supports your vision, your goals, and the clients you’re here to serve.