Success rests on adaptability as much as ambition

Uncertainty is now the norm. It is the backdrop against which strategic decisions are made, shaped by economic shifts and influenced by rapid advancements in technology. Yet the results that have emerged in this year’s C-suite barometer reveal little hesitation from leaders. They are revising their approach and accelerating plans with significant investments. This adaptability will not only be a competitive edge but the currency for thriving strategies and growth as we head confidently into 2026.

There’s no doubt among C-suite executives that there will be challenges to navigate in 2026. The business environment is in transition, as new risks and opportunities emerge. In the last twelve months, disruption and change have resulted in a small dip in overall reported revenue growth, but executives remain positive about their businesses’ ability to evolve and adapt to anticipated challenges ahead, and are confident in the opportunities that can be secured.

While economic uncertainty around the world threatens plans and drags down growth, transformation through technology is proceeding at pace as a result of artificial intelligence (AI) – a revolution that is already impacting workforces as we see organisations now focus on restructuring their teams and operations around it. In fact, AI implementation is seen as the greatest opportunity. Executives report that it’s now stimulating more job creation than job replacement. Many view it as a key part of their ongoing technology transformation efforts, and the part that has the greatest potential for return if they can maximise on these investments. However, the change is coming both bottom up and top-down. While AI is top of the C-suite agenda, individuals and teams across businesses are spontaneously using AI to help them in their jobs. Leaders must choose strategically when and how to intervene to harness the technology’s full potential, but responsibly.

In the broader tech-driven transformation of global business, data analytics and automation are ongoing revolutions. This means data security is a key part of the AI and technology transition, rightly recognised by leaders as a crucial investment.

Intensifying competition and the shake-up to global trade are also reshaping strategic agendas for business leaders worldwide. In this climate, tariff adjustments are not simply hurdles. They are prompting organisations to pursue cost efficiencies, innovate with new offerings and enter new markets. Leaders are responding with action and, with nearly nine in ten leaders feeling equipped to manage tariff-driven costs, confidence and contingency planning is now embedded in the corporate mindset.

Importantly, we’re seeing international expansion targets shift. Our findings show that plans are moving towards a more diversified range of countries, as Canada, Germany, France and China (respectively) now compete equally with the U.S. as the top destinations leaders are targeting. As C-suite executives are forced to adapt and find ways to mitigate higher trade and tariff costs, they are understandably reviewing pricing strategies and consolidating the services they offer internationally. Despite the progressive challenges of 2025, it’s been encouraging that optimism from leaders has held firm, when it could have easily triggered unpredictable reactions and unsettled markets further.

Change, as we enter the second half of this decade, is now rapid. It comes in forms that businesses know they cannot fully control, but the opportunities outweigh the risks for leaders able to adapt their strategies and move forward with confidence.

This adaptability in business comes through as a key theme this year, fuelling confidence. Adaptability is not about waiting for uncertainty to pass but about building organisations that are ready for what’s next and can thrive in the long-term. Our research suggests leaders are embracing change, investing in technology and people, and reimagining their strategies to stay ahead of disruption and competition. The most successful will be those who combine confidence with caution – moving forward boldly, with strong awareness of both the risks and opportunities. Success rests on adaptability as much as ambition.