Building a Culture of Evidence

To celebrate the release of our 2026 Emerging Trends Forecast (click to access the full 60+ page report), we are previewing ten of the biggest trends in the world of change and crisis leadership.

__________

August, 2025—Artificial Intelligence and Technology Integration

Still To Come:

• Continuous Change and Crisis Readiness
• Mature Agile Approaches
• Polycrisis and Complexity Management
• Human-Centric and Well-Being Focused Workforces
• Real-Time and Digital Crisis Response
• Adaptability and Scenario Planning
• Workforce Resilience and Protection
• Social Media and Reputational Risk Governance

__________

Now, let’s take a look at the trend of data-driven operations and decision-making.

As organizations face increasing complexity and volatility the need for data-driven operations are becoming both a competitive advantage and a necessity. This trend centers on using comprehensive, timely, and accurate data to guide both strategic and everyday decisions. Rather than relying on instinct or other anecdotal inputs, modern organizations are shifting to decision-making grounded in real-time analytics and predictive insights.

Key advancements include the collection of structured and unstructured data, with the help of advanced analytics such as predictive modeling and real-time processing. Organizations are transforming raw data into actionable intelligence. Data is no longer confined to IT departments, and self-service tools are empowering people across departments to access and interpret data independently, driving more informed decisions.

Outdated practices are quickly falling behind. These include decision-making based on hunches or outdated dashboards that offer little relevance to current operations. Similarly, collecting large volumes of data without the infrastructure, skills, or culture to act on it is also proving ineffective.

Warning signs of growing pains in data adoption include heightened demand for real-time analytics, and a cultural shift where people increasingly expect data to drive planning, performance reviews, and operational improvements. When debates are settled using metrics rather than hierarchy, it signals a deeper integration of data into everyday organizational behavior.

To stay ahead, organizations should invest in enterprise-wide data literacy, modernize their data infrastructure, and align processes around data-first principles. This includes training, deploying user-friendly analytics platforms, and embedding data checkpoints into key workflows. Recognition and incentives for data-driven outcomes can also reinforce this shift.

As data becomes the lifeblood of operations, organizations that build a strong, inclusive, and strategic data culture will be better positioned to adapt and lead.