Preparing for the Future: The Top Skills of 2026

As 2025 winds down, Learning and Development leaders are already looking ahead to the workplace needs of 2026. Rapid advancements in AI, evolving leadership expectations, and increasing pressure to demonstrate business impact are reshaping how L&D teams approach strategy, skill development, and learner engagement.

These themes will take center stage at the upcoming CLO Exchange this October, where senior L&D leaders will explore what it takes to build a future-ready workforce.

The Skills That Will Shape the Future

While technical fluency remains critical, especially around AI, it’s not the only priority. The most impactful L&D strategies for 2026 will center on adaptability, strategic thinking, and human-centered leadership. Leaders will need to guide their teams through ambiguity, continuous transformation, and complex decision-making—often in hybrid or high-pressure environments.

According to Jason Morris, Learning & Engagement Lead at Takeda, one of the most important skills to cultivate right now is the ability to leverage AI effectively. Rather than just introducing new tools, learning teams must understand where AI investments will create real impact—both for business outcomes and learner experience. At Takeda, this includes using AI for faster, more cost-effective content development and exploring ways to streamline global learning delivery through AI-assisted translation.

Evolving Measurement and Engagement Strategies

As skill development becomes more personalized and performance-focused, L&D leaders are moving beyond completion rates to demonstrate value. Aligning learning programs with organizational risk, workforce trends, and real-world performance data is becoming a key priority.

Equally important is maintaining engagement—especially in hybrid work environments. That means delivering concise, relevant, and business-aligned content that speaks directly to learners' realities. Clear communication, stakeholder involvement, and strong program management are proving to be foundational to successful leadership training and development efforts.

How to Prepare for 2026

L&D leaders preparing for the next wave of workplace transformation can take practical steps now to stay ahead:

• Conduct a skills audit to identify current capability gaps, especially in areas like AI fluency, adaptability, and strategic thinking.
• Prioritize leadership development programs that focus on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and navigating ambiguity.
• Invest in scalable learning ecosystems that support rapid content creation, localization, and personalization.
• Tie learning initiatives to business outcomes by integrating performance and risk data into program evaluation.
• Build internal alignment by involving cross-functional stakeholders early in the design of learning programs.

Where L&D Goes From Here

Looking toward 2026, the role of L&D is not just to close skill gaps—it’s to build agile, resilient workforces and equip leaders to navigate uncertainty with confidence. That includes developing fluency in emerging technologies, fostering a culture of continuous growth, and making leadership training and development a strategic advantage.

Interested in how your peers are preparing for the future of work?
Join senior L&D leaders at the CLO Exchange this October to explore what’s next in learning strategy, leadership development, and AI-powered innovation.