2026 Executive Survey
The Competencies & Values Leaders See as Core to the Success of their Firms.
2026 marks a critical inflection point for organisations in all sectors, of all sizes and across all industries. The seismic shifts borne from AI and other technology advancements, our changing workforce needs and expectations and an increasingly volatile global economy, are urgent realities.
Towards the end of 2025 we asked 180 senior leaders in client organisations about the challenges they faced, the competencies they felt were necessary to address these and the extent to which those competencies were in their business. Almost 50% of participants suggested that their leadership teams were not adequately prepared to address the headwinds identified. The respondents identified that a need to balance between tactical and strategic priorities posed a particular challenge, along with a shortage of critical skills and change management capability.
We asked about succession planning, building organisation agility and where leaders felt the organisation’s talent gaps were impacting the business. Using a mixture of survey and interviews, participants shared their firm’s outlook towards AI. The absence of AI leadership, understanding and capability was a reoccurring concern in many of the conversations. Perhaps therefore, it’s unsurprising that in July 2025, Harvard Business Review reported only 6% of companies fully trust AI to run their core business processes, while 43% only trust AI agents with limited or routine operational tasks.
The data was collected, with thanks, from firms of various sizes and included those who operate in Ireland and abroad, and from sectors including: Financial, Professional, Business and Consumer Services; Technology, Engineering, Construction and Energy; Manufacturing and Supply Chain; and Life Science industries.
Get In Touch
To discuss how we can support your Executive Search and Contract & Interim requirements contact:
Ciarán McCaughey – Managing Director – Executive Search | ciaran.mccaughey@hrmrecruit.com | +35383 1420673