Last month, our UK Connect community gathered at The Hoxton in London, for ’Outlook 2026: Resilience in Focus’, an evening dedicated to exploring how organisations can thrive amid uncertainty. With a distinguished panel of speakers and a diverse audience of business leaders, the event explored the evolving meaning of resilience, the impact of AI, and the changing expectations of the next generation of talent.
Here are our key insights and takeaways from the event:
- Resilience is essential for businesses to thrive amid ongoing economic uncertainty: With the UK Budget approaching and the economy everchanging, resilience is not optional, it’s essential for every business. The mood was realistic but hopeful. There will be challenges, but there are also reasons to be optimistic. The key is to remain adaptable and keep moving forward, even when things get tough
- Embracing AI with humility enables innovation and purposeful, future-ready organisations: AI was described as the “next printing press”, a force as transformative as it is disruptive. It is reshaping competition, redefining expertise, and challenging long-standing professional roles. Rather than fearing change, the message was clear, approach AI with humility and curiosity. Stay focused on your purpose, give teams the freedom to experiment, and view it as an opportunity to innovate and grow
- Trust is the foundation for collaboration, growth, and organisational resilience: Trust emerged as a central thread throughout the discussion, whether between leaders and teams, or organisations and their suppliers or customers. It is the foundation that enables knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation. As one speaker discussed, trust “turns people from cheats into champions.” Building and maintaining trust is critical for organisations seeking to thrive in turbulent times
- The next generation brings purpose, openness, and energy to the evolving workplace: Traditional stereotypes concerning young people entering the workforce need to be challenged. Instead of viewing them as “sensitive snowflakes,” leaders were encouraged to recognise their openness about mental health, hunger for growth, and drive for purpose and outcomes. Far from disengaged, this generation is motivated by impact and meaning, and with proper guidance, they will bring resilience, creativity, and energy to the workplaces of the future. Leaders play a crucial role in helping them channel that drive effectively
- Harnessing data effectively transforms resilience into a strategic advantage: With data analytics and AI now at our fingertips, the conversation shifted to how organisations can turn information into intelligence. By leveraging technology, businesses can predict and mitigate risks, enabling smarter decisions and transforming resilience into a true competitive advantage
The event underscored that resilience is more than the ability to withstand shocks, it is about adapting, learning, and leading with purpose. Watch the video below to see the highlights from Outlook 2026:
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