What Developing People Will Really Mean by 2026
By Sunita Sehmi
Lately, when I talk with senior leaders, I keep hearing the same thing: technology is advancing faster than we can keep up. Experts looking ahead to 2026 say that developing people and leaders will depend on human-focused skills, understanding AI, and building resilience. This firsthand view of evolving expectations brings us to a critical trend shaping the future of learning and development. Not long ago, a CEO told me,
“My people are highly capable—but they were trained for a world that no longer exists.”
That observation captures the challenge perfectly. By 2026, development will move beyond rigid, role-based training. It will be continuous, skills-based, and adaptive—helping people work alongside AI. Learning will happen through daily decisions, problem-solving, and reflection.
As AI increasingly handles routine and analytical tasks, the skills that cannot be automated will determine success. Creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage complex human interactions will become the real competitive edge. I’ve mentored many technically excellent leaders who reached a plateau—not due to a lack of intelligence, but because they underestimated the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and communication.
People don’t need to become technologists, but they do require AI literacy. This involves understanding how to use AI tools effectively, ask better questions, and recognise when human judgment is essential. A senior leader recently told me, “I don’t need to know how the engine works—I need to know when not to use it.” That distinction will define responsible leadership in the years ahead.
As with any technological development, it is a double-edged sword: there is advancement and then the consequences for humans and the future of work.
By 2026, developing resilience and well-being will be a strategic priority, not just a wellness initiative on the side. The pace of change is relentless. Without resilience, burnout becomes unavoidable. The most effective leaders I work with are not the ones doing the most—they are the ones who manage their energy, set boundaries, and role model sustainable performance. The future of developing people is not about choosing between humans and technology. It’s about elevating what makes us human while using technology wisely. In a world where machines can do more than ever before, leadership will be defined by those who know how to develop people—not just systems.
Like any technological advancement, it is a double-edged sword: progress comes with consequences. The future of work is not solely a technological issue but a human one. The key challenge for leaders and organisations is not whether to adopt new technologies but how to do so in a way that keeps humanity at the core: investing in reskilling, redesigning work with purpose, and fostering cultures where people feel valued rather than interchangeable.
Being a “smart” leader won’t be enough. But being human, one will.
#Leadership #FutureOfWork #HumanSkills #PersonalGrowth #WellbeingAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #ResilientLeadership
#AIandHumanity #LifelongLearning #ConsciousLeadership