As we wrap up this year, I’ve been reflecting on just how significant – and unusual – it has been for organisations, leaders, and talent across our global markets. It has been a year of smiles, yes, but also one marked by a very different kind of disruption. Unlike the GFC, which was largely economic, this year brought a double impact – geopolitical pressure colliding with an industrial shift driven by digital transformation and AI. Together, they created a level of uncertainty that forced companies to pause, reassess, and reshape.
A Year That Halted, Then Shifted
For much of the year, companies hesitated before making big decisions. When movement did happen, it often came in the form of downsizing, strategy resets, or major reprioritisation. This naturally impacted the volume of open roles and changed the dynamics of how people looked for opportunities.
Simultaneously, the number of applicants for every role surged to unprecedented levels. Being seen – let alone standing out – became increasingly challenging. Visibility, differentiation, and strategic storytelling mattered more than ever.
And interestingly, networking spiked. We saw more direct outreach to hiring managers and HR leaders, reshaping how recruitment happens and accelerating relationship-led hiring.
A Mindset Shift Has Started
Now, after a prolonged period of caution and constriction, organisations are pivoting. Boards and executive teams are increasingly drawing a line under the ambiguity. They’re choosing pragmatism and forward movement – recognising that revenue still needs to be generated, profit must be protected, and momentum has to return.
In this shift, companies have:
- Redesigned parts of their workforce to be more agile and outcomes-focused.
- Adopted AI to create efficiencies, improve customer relevance, and make stronger data-driven decisions.
- Rebuilt priorities around what drives performance and sustainable growth.
This isn’t a repeat of the GFC. This is deeper. It’s structural. It’s forcing organisations to rethink, re-architect, and reimagine.
And with every shift in organisational design comes a shift in the requirements, expectations, and core capabilities of talent.
What Organisations Are Now Asking For
Across industries, especially in life sciences and healthcare, we’re seeing common themes:
Practicality and Momentum: Leaders who can cut through noise, avoid internal politics, and simply get things moving.
Eliminating Hidden Leakage: A sharp focus on identifying waste – financial, operational, or time-based – and stopping it quickly.
Optimisation with Purpose: Whether through AI, automation, or smarter processes, organisations want to be faster, more relevant, and more competitive.
Growth Through Intelligence: Using data to maximise what already exists and diversifying to unlock new revenue channels.
It’s been a year of flux – hard to predict, sometimes uncomfortable – but patterns have emerged. And with those patterns comes something we haven’t felt for a while: excitement.
The New Leadership Imperative
The leaders who will succeed in this next phase are those who can:
- Influence stakeholders at every level.
- Navigate relationships up, down, and across.
- Translate ideas into action and outcomes.
- Use data wisely – and persuasively.
- Make bold, sometimes risky decisions when the opportunity is worth it.
- Maintain composure, even when pressure is high.
- Have the patience and conviction to see decisions through.
This is leadership not defined by hierarchy, but by impact.
Looking Ahead to 2026
2025 brought a seismic shift. It’s been uncomfortable, yes – but transformational. And for those who see opportunity amid change, 2026 will open doors. It will look different. It will be disruptive. And it will bring a new kind of energy for those ready to lean in.
If you want to know more about these trends, what they mean for your organisation, or how to prepare your executive team for what’s coming next, we’re here to help.
And if you’re considering a key hire or planning ahead for 2026, reach out to our expert Executive Search Director, Anthea Gribbin. She is the best person to speak with about any current or upcoming vacancies.
About Hunton Executive
Hunton Executive specialises in Global Executive and Board Search for Healthcare and Life Sciences, partnering with organisations to appoint the next generation of leadership. With trusted expertise across Board, C-suite, functional, and enterprise roles in domestic, regional, and international markets, we connect you with exceptional leaders. Reach out for a confidential chat.