It’s late December. Our calendars are full, our attention is scattered, and even the best intentions for reflection can get lost in the shuffle.
At the same time, there’s that quiet pull to pause and ask: What does the new year hold for me?
We were craving bite-sized pieces of inspiration that could meet us in the messiness of the moment and give us a little momentum heading into 2026.
So we reached out to a group we lovingly call friends of IDEO—IDEO U instructors, Creative Confidence Podcast guests, and partners of IDEO—and asked them to offer a few words of advice for leaders going into the new year.
Their responses were exactly what we needed: thoughtful, honest, realistic, and optimistic.
Across their reflections, a few themes show up again and again—navigating uncertainty, valuing relationships, experimenting instead of over-planning—but each person brings a refreshingly different perspective.
Across two podcast episodes, 20 creative leaders share their best advice for leaders going into 2026. From sailing through Antarctic waters to redesigning how we show up for one another at work, they generously share what they’ve learned about themselves and their leadership.
Many of these folks have been guests on the Creative Confidence Podcast. We’ve linked to their episodes below. Add a few of these to your podcast queue to make the most of quiet moments during the holidays.
We hope this advice offers a moment of clarity, encouragement, or inspiration as you head into the new year.
Want even more leadership advice? Head over to IDEO’s Thinking blog to hear from more partners of IDEO.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Living with Uncertainty (Instead of Fighting It)
“My best advice for other leaders going into 2026 is to learn how to live with uncertainty.”
Michael Hendrix — Managing Director, Invisible Notes; former IDEO Partner
Hear more from Michael: Adopt a Musical Mindset to Tap Into Your Creativity
“To cross an ocean, you don’t need to know exactly where you are at all times.”
Kate Schnippering — Polar Expedition Crew Member, IDEO U Instructor: Creative Thinking for Complex Problem Solving
“The future is impossible to predict. The unexpected is always waiting in the wings.”
Catherine Connors — Co-founder, StoryQuo
Hear more from Catherine: 5 Storytelling Techniques for Leaders Who Want to Shape Culture
“Leaders don’t need perfect predictions. They need the ability to hold multiple plausible futures at once.”
Jennifer Lo — Futurist in Residence and Senior Director of Organizational Design, IDEO
Hear more from Jennifer: How to Think Like a Futurist
Creativity Comes from Openness, Not Control
“We are beyond the era of binary choices and perfect plans. I don't think 2026 is going to reward rigid thinkers.”
Suzanne Gibbs Howard — Founder, IDEO U; Leadership and Learning Advisor; IDEO U Instructor: Unlocking Creativity
Hear more from Suzanne: Design Thinking: You Asked, We Answered
“When we meet uncertainty with curiosity instead of fear, it flips the script.”
Michelle Lee — Partner and Executive Managing Director, IDEO; IDEO U Instructor: Creative Thinking for Complex Problem Solving
Hear more from Michelle: The Power of Play: How to Solve Problems Like a Toy Designer
“Human creativity and taste matter more than ever.”
Takashi Wickes — Founding Designer, Open Studio; IDEO U Instructor: Prototyping for AI
Hear more from Takashi: Prototyping with AI: How to Stay Creative, Human, and Intentional in a World of Infinite Tools
“Recognizing potential—both in ourselves and others—is one of the most important leadership skills.”
Grace Hwang — Design Leader; Former IDEO Associate Partner; Co-Founder, Upturn Health
Hear more from Grace: How to Stay Human-Centered in the Age of AI and Emerging Tech
Action Builds Confidence
“Action creates clarity, but it’s not big bold steps. It’s small and safe ones.”
Amy Bonsall — Founder, Light Actions at Collective; IDEO U Instructor: Designing a Business
Hear more from Amy: What is Business Design?
“Confidence doesn’t show up before you act. It shows up because you act.”
Frederik Pferdt — Former Chief Innovation Evangelist, Google; author of What’s Now is Next
Hear more from Frederik: How to Shape Your Future When Facing Uncertainty
“My best advice for leaders going into 2026 is get comfortable with experimentation.”
Wardah Malik — CEO, BEworks
Hear more from Wardah: Why Intrinsic Motivators in the Workplace are Important for Success
“Don’t get stuck romanticizing what was. Fall in love with what can be.”
Sara Kalick— Founder, The Possible: IDEO U Instructor: From Superpowers to Great Teams
Hear more from Sara: What’s Your Superpower? Understanding Its Strengths, Shadow Sides & How to Use It in the Workplace
Relationships Are the Real Work of Leadership
“We don’t have to choose between love and truth.”
Kim Scott — Author & Founder, Radical Candor
Hear more from Kim: How to Confront Bias, Prejudice, and Bullying at Work
“At the end of the day, it’s your people who make the difference.”
Jenn Maer — Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Knitted; IDEO U Instructor: Storytelling for Influence
Hear more from Jenn: 5 Ways to Become a Better Storyteller
“So many of us are still navigating uncertainty and burnout—and leaders need to acknowledge that reality.”
Mollie West Duffy — Co-author, No Hard Feelings; Big Feelings
Hear more from Mollie: Strategies for Managing Difficult Emotions at Work
The Power of Pause and Reflection
“Don’t shy away from the pause.”
Bonnie Wan — Author & Founder, The Life Brief
Hear more from Bonnie: How to Break Free from Limiting Beliefs and Evolve Your Leadership Mindset
“Slowing down helps us observe more, listen better, and suspend judgment.”
Dabney Hailey — Founder and Principal, Hailey Group; Lecturer, MIT Sloan
Hear more from Dabney: What Is the Facilitative Leadership Style? 5 Behaviors That Bring it to Life
“Grounding yourself in your values makes decision-making easier when things feel uncertain.”
Jennifer Riel — Adjunct Professor, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; Former Head of Global Strategy, IDEO; IDEO U Instructor: Designing Strategy & Activating Strategy
Hear more from Jennifer: The 7 Myths of Strategy
Staying Human as the World Accelerates
“The thing to keep in mind heading into 2026 is that we are humans and we all probably need some help humaning together.”
Susie Wise — Designer, Design for Emergence; Author, Design for Belonging
Hear more from Susie: Belonging at Work: How to Foster Inclusion and Collaboration
“Maintain leadership with heart through changes in policy, the financial landscape, and technologies.”
YC Sun — Senior Design Director, Healthcare and Wellbeing, IDEO
Hear more from YC: Creating Impactful Products: A Guide to Mastering Product Development Strategy
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