What leaders are really thinking - and doing - in 2026
The Launchpad
The Launchpad is a series of insights where we explore what's shaping employee experience, culture and communications right now.
In this first edition, we spoke to 21 senior leaders across the UK, Europe and US about what they are really thinking - and doing - in 2026.
No corporate lines. No polished answers.
The most useful thing we could offer leaders right now isn't more data. It's an honest view of what their peers are thinking - and doing - when it comes to the things that matter most.
What you’ll find in this edition of The Launchpad
Six trends shaping how leaders are thinking about culture, comms and the employee experience right now.
01
Building workplaces Gen Z actually want to work at
The generational shift is already here. Leaders share what they're doing to keep up - and what's at stake if they don't.
02
Culture as a business strategy, not a benefit
How work feels is almost as important as what it pays. The gap between EVP promise and lived reality is where talent gets lost.
03
AI is everywhere. The structure to use it isn't
Everyone's talking about AI. Far fewer have the policy, training and strategy to actually make it work.
04
From broadcast to conversation
Fewer channels, sharper content, multiple formats. The smartest comms teams are earning attention, not demanding it.
05
The world is loud. And employees are watching
Leaders are under pressure to have a voice on global events. Silence is no longer neutral. Here's where to start.
06
Layoffs leave a mark. The hybrid debate isn't over.
Trust after redundancy. The tension around office mandates. The challenges that don't make it into the all-hands.
“We made a promise during COVID and then shifted the goal posts. We heard that people had to change their plans… their routines. But I also think it made them question if they can trust us.”
- VP, Internal Communications & Engagement