The Year of the 8% Culture: TLP012

Episode 12 marks a significant transition for The Leadership Pause as Dr. Taylere Markewich announces her departure from co-hosting duties after a year of meaningful conversations and growth. While stepping away from regular participation, Taylere will continue as an avid listener as the podcast evolves for 2026. Both Neil and Taylere reflect on the gratitude they feel for the journey, the people they've connected with, and the insights gained, while looking ahead to what leaders need to navigate in the coming year.

The conversation explores the major leadership trends that emerged in 2025, with AI taking center stage as organizations continue to wrestle with implementation and understanding. Surprisingly, only 65% of leaders understand what generative AI is and how to lead AI initiatives, according to an Accenture survey. Some organizations experimented with replacing internship programs with AI agents, while others took out AI insurance policies to protect against failed initiatives. Beyond technology, a significant cultural shift emerged around the concept of the "8% culture" - the idea that people hold back the last 8% of what they want to say in difficult conversations, which is often the most important information. This framework moves organizations beyond the false dichotomy of relationships versus results, recognizing that relationships are what facilitate results and that trust and candor are two sides of the same coin.

Looking ahead to 2026, Neil and Taylere identify two critical workplace phenomena that leaders must address: quiet cracking and job hugging. Quiet cracking describes the silent progression toward burnout that often goes unnoticed until someone reaches a breaking point, characterized by distancing from work, decreased motivation, and increased complaints about the organization. Job hugging represents the opposite of the Great Resignation, with 75% of people planning to stay in their jobs through 2027 and voluntary leaving rates at just 2% - the lowest in a decade. This shift stems from economic uncertainty, AI-related job fears, and cooler job markets, creating the challenge of leading people who stay out of fear rather than genuine engagement.

A central theme throughout the discussion is the imperative to keep humans at the center of leadership in 2026. Despite AI's rapid advancement and promises of efficiency, the conversation emphasizes that humans remain essential to decision-making, critical thinking, and organizational success. AI tools can hallucinate or produce unreliable outputs, and studies show that human experts like radiologists still catch what AI misses. The hosts discuss emerging leadership models, including the rise of fractional CEOs versus traditional coaches, as organizations seek flexible executive support. They also highlight the value of "fraternal collegial twins" - peer partnerships where leaders can consult with trusted colleagues to expand their self-awareness and navigate complex challenges together.

The episode concludes with practical tips for navigating the year ahead. Neil encourages leaders to become "work therapists" by paying close attention to their people's behavior, noticing what's said and unsaid, and leaning into difficult conversations rather than avoiding them. Taylere offers two recommendations: cultivating self-awareness through whatever modality works best for you, whether that's self-study, group learning, or collegial consultation with your fraternal twin, and making space for collegial relationships to deepen beyond surface level. Throughout the conversation, both hosts emphasize that while technology continues to transform the workplace, the fundamentally human elements of leadership - connection, empathy, and genuine care - remain more critical than ever.