When culture is a fuzzy concept, it’s open to interpretation. People unwittingly wield their interpretations like shields or swords. Well-documented cultures, on the other hand, are open to scrutiny yet transparent and easier to govern and co-own.

If AI commoditises outputs, then skilful, tasteful people will matter more than ever. Salary is the fundamental way corporations value such people. In addition to standard HR indicators, we need human ways to determine fair compensation.

By viewing rest as only a means to recharge ourselves for work, we undermine its role in living a deep life. Rest is valuable in and of itself.

When defining corporate cultures, too much emphasis goes to the values poster or the employer value proposition. Attractive, credible cultures however, ground their messaging in strong corporate theories.

Cybernetic collaboration with AI is making us conflate speed and productivity. There’s no alternative to deep focus, even if AI promises to create outputs at “warp speed.” In 2026, leaders will serve their teams best by creating a work environment conducive to deep work.