As we move through 2026, the definition of a high-performing team has fundamentally changed. Teams today must operate in an environment marked by rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and the deep integration of artificial intelligence into daily workflows. Performance is synonymous with adaptability, judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with AI. Recent research shows that nearly 78 % of companies have adopted AI in at least one business function, which makes human skills necessary to make that technology truly transformative.
1. Leading Teams When the Future Isn’t Certain
The modern leader’s greatest challenge is navigating sustained uncertainty. With global markets shifting rapidly, leaders must make decisions without perfect information and guide teams through evolving constraints. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, skills like resilience, flexibility, and agility are now among the top competencies employers say are core to workforce performance.
Yet despite this recognized need, the transition from traditional command-and-control leadership to resilience-oriented leadership is uneven at best. A 2026 enterprise learning and development report found that only 11 % of organizations feel extremely confident in their future skills-building strategy despite widespread AI adoption, underlining that most teams lack robust leadership development systems capable of preparing them for ambiguity.
2. Partnering with AI to Boost Team Performance
By 2026, AI has shifted from a specialized tool to foundational infrastructure inside most enterprises. Research shows that nearly 45 % of U.S. workers report using AI as part of their job, up sharply from previous years, and a majority of those workers say AI helps them get more done in less time. However, adoption alone doesn’t guarantee impact. A separate survey revealed that while 74 % of workers regularly use AI tools like generative chatbots and assistants, only 33 % have received formal training in how to use them effectively, leaving a substantial education gap.
Another research shows that 82 % of leaders report their teams use AI at least weekly, and 60 % of leaders acknowledge an AI skills gap in their organizations, signaling that human capabilities are the differentiator in how well technology delivers value.
High-performing teams no longer see AI as a replacement for human judgment. Instead, they treat it as a collaborator that enhances decision-making when paired with human oversight, context, and ethical judgment. This concept of augmented intelligence, where human and machine capabilities are complementary, is increasingly recognized as the model for sustained performance. Critical evaluation of AI outputs, strategic reliance on automation where it makes sense, and translation of AI insights into actionable business decisions increasingly differentiate top teams from the rest.
3. Turning Data into a Shared Language Across Teams
In high-performing organizations, the ability to interpret and act on data is not confined to analytic specialists; it is expected of every team member. Data literacy enables employees to make evidence-based decisions, collaborate across functions with a shared language of insight, and reduce reliance on intuition alone. Multiple expert analyses predict that data literacy will emerge as one of the most in-demand skills by 2030.
This shift is consequential. Workforce data shows that professionals today are expanding their skill sets significantly faster than in previous years, including skills related to data interpretation and AI fluency. When data literacy is democratized, teams are better able to navigate complexity, reduce bottlenecks, and integrate insights into strategic work seamlessly, strengthening organizational agility and alignment.
4. Strengthening the Human Skills That Drive Results
Even as AI and automation rise, human skills like empathy, ethical reasoning, communication, and critical thinking are becoming more valuable, not less. Analysis from global skill reports shows that roles requiring resilience, leadership influence, empathy, and creativity remain among employers’ most desired capabilities, sometimes ranking above pure technical abilities.
This isn’t surprising when you consider what technology can and cannot do. Machines can process data rapidly and automate routine work, but they cannot interpret nuance, build trust, or navigate ethically fraught situations independently. Indeed, employers increasingly indicate that they want employees who can exercise judgement, lead cross-disciplinary efforts, and translate technological outputs into human-meaningful decisions.
Human skills also play a critical role in learning and adaptation. As AI reshapes job roles, teams that excel in communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence tend to adapt more fluidly to new structures and expectations.
Prepare Your Team for 2026: Build These Capabilities Now
The teams that will thrive in 2026 are those that combine resilient leadership, human-AI collaboration, data fluency, and strong human judgment. Developing these capabilities enables faster decision-making, greater adaptability, and sustainable performance in an era of rapid change.
Kaplan partners with organizations to design practical, research-backed learning programs that build these skills in tandem, ensuring your team is ready to navigate uncertainty and seize opportunities. Equip your team for the future today. Connect with us here.