It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for sharing 2026 predictions!

We asked HR leaders to share what they expect to see next year. From how the CHRO role and performance management will evolve, to how labor market shifts will impact employers, read on to see what they had to say, and how their predictions compare with those on your 2026 HR bingo card.

“In 2026, we’ll see more people leaders take on blended roles, reflecting how deeply talent, technology, and AI transformation are intertwined. HR teams will also evolve as organizations eliminate traditional centers of excellence and build small, diverse, cross-functional groups to solve specific challenges. My own title shift to chief people and AI enablement officer reflects that reality. The focus on people and AI, which my new role represents, is part of what will make a CEO’s AI strategy successful.”—Jacqui Canney, chief people and AI enablement officer, ServiceNow

“In my opinion, hiring will look more like marketing than ever. Companies are going to need to tailor their job ad to be a magnet for candidates, then actively nurture them through the hiring process so they don’t drop out of the funnel, especially if they are a good fit. The most successful teams will focus on candidate experience and also build pipelines through communities, engagement and not just job boards.” —Heidi Barnett, president of TA, isolved

“Many of today’s workers are disengaging—going through the motions at work while silently quitting on the inside. Nearly half of Gen Z employees say they’re ‘coasting,’ and overall US employee engagement sits at a decade low. Disengagement creep has significant repercussions, too…As we look ahead, strategic listening programs will be increasingly vital to combat disengagement, boost productivity, and shape a healthier workplace. And AI will also play a critical role by analyzing open-ended feedback for burnout cues, detecting disengagement patterns early, and surfacing gaps in the employee journey that might otherwise go unnoticed.”—Becky Cantieri, CPO, SurveyMonkey

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