We surveyed senior leaders across consumer and lifestyle brands from $10M to over $1B in revenue to capture how business imperatives and leadership expectations are aligning in 2026.
The findings show a clear shift toward accountability and performance, the increasing belief that AI will materially impact leadership and talent strategy, and a widening gap between what leaders know they need and where they are investing. All of this places a renewed emphasis on leadership choices that directly enable execution, accountability, and results. Profitability is still the top priority, but brand strength and innovation are gaining ground. Leaders aren’t choosing between discipline and growth—they’re delivering both.
Download the full report to inform your hiring forecast and leadership strategy.
