By Danielle Rocheleau
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As we step into 2026, I’ve been spending time reflecting on what the past year has required of leaders and organizations and what the year ahead may be inviting us into.
The last several years have been marked by increasing complexity. The pace of change, competing demands, and constant uncertainty have made leadership feel heavier, not lighter. And while that trend hasn’t disappeared, 2025 carried a different quality for many of the organizations we worked with.
There was pressure, but not always movement.
Interestingly, that theme showed up for me in an unexpected way during a recent conversation with a client. We found ourselves talking about Tarot and the Chinese zodiac, not our typical topic of discussion. Our discussion was about 2025 being the Year of the Snake, associated with shedding what no longer serves us, and in tarot, the year of the Hermit, representing reflection, inward focus, and intentional clearing.
That conversation lingered with me because it so closely mirrored what we were seeing in our work.
2025: Pressure, Reflection, and Slow Progress
Throughout 2025, many organizations were thinking deeply about change. Leaders were asking hard questions about structure, culture, strategy, and sustainability. There was a clear desire to move things forward, but progress often felt slow.
What we saw instead was reflection: conversations, intention-setting, and recognition that something needed to shift, paired with a sense that it wasn’t quite time to rush ahead.
In hindsight, that makes sense.
True transformation often starts with clearing space. Allowing ourselves to let go of approaches, assumptions, or offerings that no longer fit. That work is quiet. It can be uncomfortable… and it rarely comes with immediate results.
Living the Same Work at Laridae
What’s interesting is that we weren’t just observing this with our clients, we were living it ourselves.
As Laridae approaches 15 years, there is a lot that feels deeply rooted in our history, like services we’ve always offered, or ways of working that have carried us through different stages of growth. Letting go of anything that has “always been there” isn’t easy.
But in 2025, we intentionally paused to think critically about our strategic direction and how we are best positioned to meet the moment and effectively support our clients today.
That meant asking hard questions. Streamlining what we offer. Focusing more clearly on what we do best. And listening closely to our clients about where they experience the greatest value in our work.
Some of those decisions were difficult. But they were necessary.
As we move into 2026, I feel grounded, refreshed, and genuinely excited; not because everything feels certain, but because our direction feels clear.
2026: Momentum After Grounding
If 2025 was about reflection and shedding, 2026 feels like a year of movement.
In the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, which is associated with energy, progress, and forward motion. In tarot, it aligns with the Wheel of Fortune, reminding us that once things begin to move, they often move quickly.
That resonates deeply with what we’re sensing across our client work. Many leaders and teams feel ready for a breath of fresh air. Ready to act, and build on the grounding work they’ve already done.
What Transformation Really Requires
One thing I’m continually reminded of, through our work and through my own learning, is that transformation is rarely a single sweeping change. It’s layered.
It requires:
- Mindset shifts, which take time and are often the hardest part.
- The right tools, knowledge, and resources to support movement.
- Behaviour change, which happens incrementally through practice, experimentation, and sometimes getting things wrong.
This can all feel really messy. It can feel uncomfortable and ambiguous. There are moments when it’s hard to tell whether things are moving in the direction you hoped.
This is where leadership requires trust.
- Trust in the strategy you’ve set.
- Trust in the steps and processes you’re taking.
- Trust in the people rowing alongside you.
- And, at times, trust in the journey itself.
Because what we so often see is this: clarity emerges, confidence builds and suddenly, you begin to see people, systems, and decisions rowing in the direction you intended all along.
Transformation is hard. It’s not neat and tidy. But it’s possible, especially when people are meaningfully engaged in the process.
Four Questions to Ground the Work Ahead
As we look ahead to 2026, we’ve been grounding our thinking and our planning in a small set of practical questions. They don’t remove complexity, but they help create focus and momentum.
I’d invite you to sit with these as you consider what transformation looks like in your own organization:
- What must be true by the end of this quarter (or year)? A question that creates focus without demanding perfection.
- What would create real relief or momentum? Sometimes one meaningful shift can change everything.
- What, if not done now, will hurt us next quarter? An invitation to prioritize honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Where do we need clarity, structure, or a decision? Because ambiguity is often the greatest drain on energy.
Transformation happens through thoughtful decisions, small behavioural shifts, and a willingness to stay engaged, even when things feel uncertain.
If You’re Ready to Take the Next Step
If this reflection resonates, if your organization is feeling ready for clarity, momentum, or a new way of working, we’d love to be in conversation with you.
At Laridae, we support organizations at different points in their transformation journey:
- Creating strategic clarity through inclusive, thoughtful strategic planning
- Strengthening management foundations so leaders can set clear expectations, guide their teams toward strategy, and build cohesion
- Deepening leadership practice through coach training, helping experienced people leaders change the nature of their conversations – building accountability and autonomy across the organization
You don’t need all the answers before you begin.
If you’re ready to explore what your next steps could look like, reach out to us. We’d be glad to walk alongside you as you move forward – intentionally, thoughtfully, and together.