The Leadership Transition Report 2026

Insights from leaders navigating AI transformation and the growing leadership capability gap.

AI isn't creating leadership problems - it's exposing them.

Every AI strategy assumes leaders already know how to lead through AI, but most have never been shown how.

Based on conversations with leaders across multiple organizations, this report explores the leadership patterns emerging as AI changes how decisions are made, work gets done and organizations operate.

Inside the report:

  • Eight recurring leadership patterns emerging across organizations

  • Why AI exposes existing organizational problems

  • The Hero Leader Loop

  • The Translation Layer

  • Leadership Infrastructure: a framework for building leadership capability

Written for CEOs, CHROs and leaders responsible for helping organizations adapt to AI, without leaving leadership capability behind.