What This Year Taught Us About Leadership (And How to Use It in 2026)
By James Fleming, Managing Director of The Power Within Training
Yes okay, I know what you’re thinking. There are a million “What this year taught us” posts floating about right now. And fair play, they all mean well. But most of them skim the surface… a bit of “resilience, agility, and teamwork” sprinkled with stock photos of handshakes.
This isn’t one of those.
2025 has been a year, hasn’t it? Between the economic squeeze that’s made every business owner second-guess their forecasts, the ongoing AI explosion changing job roles faster than you can say “ChatGPT 5”, Gen Z calling for more flexible working and purpose-led leadership, and the constant battle to protect mental health in a world that never stops, it’s been a rollercoaster.
So, what has this year really taught us about leadership, the raw, honest version? And more importantly, how do you take that into 2026 without burning out or losing your team along the way?
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Pizza Fridays won’t fix poor leadership
I scroll through job ads every week and still see it: “Great culture! Free pizza Fridays!”
Listen, nobody’s staying in a role because of the margherita on a Friday.
This year’s workforce (especially Gen Z and millennials) made it clear: people want purpose, not perks. They want growth, belonging, and a leader who actually listens, not a free slice.
If your culture’s struggling, don’t buy pizza, start asking questions.
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Mindset beats management
This year, I watched a lot of leaders get caught out by change. New tech, new demands, shrinking budgets. And the ones who adapted weren’t the loudest or flashiest; they were the ones who knew how to manage their mindset, not just their to-do list.
That’s what Motivational Intelligence (MQ) is all about: understanding how people think, react, and respond under pressure. It’s the difference between “Why is this happening to me?” and “What can I do about it?”
It’s what separates good leaders from great ones.
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The Gen Z shake-up
2025 was the year Gen Z really made their mark on the UK workforce; no longer the “new kids,” but a driving force for change.
They’re more outspoken, value-driven, and allergic to micromanagement. If they don’t feel trusted or developed, they’re gone. But when you do invest in them, they give everything.
I’ve seen it first-hand with some of the young people in our own business; give them ownership, and they’ll surprise you every time.
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Mental health isn’t a “nice to have” anymore
Leaders are finally waking up to something we’ve been shouting about for years: you can’t expect peak performance from burnt-out people.
2025 saw another rise in burnout and stress-related absences across UK businesses. And it’s not just employees; leaders are running on fumes, too. You can’t pour from an empty cup (or even a half-empty one).
So maybe next year, instead of “doing more,” the real goal is learning to pause, reflect, and build from a place of energy rather than exhaustion.
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AI is brilliant, but it’s not leadership
Yes, AI tools are saving us hours. But they’re not saving us from ourselves. Leadership still comes down to connection, not code.
You can automate your emails, your workflows, even parts of your recruitment process, but you can’t automate empathy. You can’t teach a machine to spot when someone on your team is quietly struggling, or to build trust after a tough conversation.
That’s where you come in. That’s where leadership still matters.
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Change isn’t coming, it’s already here
We’ve all said, “Next year I’ll get ahead of change.” But you’re already in it. Whether it’s industry shifts, political uncertainty, or changing team dynamics, the speed of change this year has been relentless.
The leaders who thrived were the ones who stayed curious, flexible, and open. They didn’t panic when things shifted; they adapted.
That’s high Motivational Intelligence in action.
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Leadership in 2025 = less control, more connection
When I think about how I used to lead (before I started The Power Within Training), I cringe a bit. I thought I had to have all the answers.
Now I know the best leaders don’t have all the answers… they ask the best questions.
They trust their people. They teach them how to think, not just what to do. And that’s what keeps a team strong when everything around them changes.
The Lesson
If there’s one thing this year has reminded me, it’s that leadership is never static. Forget about being perfect or having it all figured out. Focus instead on growing with your people, through the wins, the chaos, and the curveballs.
So, before you dive into 2026, take a moment.
Reflect on how far you’ve come.
Ask yourself what this year really taught you.
Then use it, because that’s what true leadership looks like.
Want to start 2026 with a stronger mindset and team culture?
Our Leadership Development Programmes are designed to help leaders like you build resilience, adaptability, and the mindset that makes all the difference, powered by Motivational Intelligence.
James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com
