New Study from Padilla Finds Leaders Accelerating Through Uncertainty But Employee Alignment Lags

2026 Padilla C-suite Perspectives Study™ reveals leaders moving faster amid ongoing disruption, while gaps with employees persist around change readiness, well-being, hybrid work and AI.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Padilla, a top 20 public relations firm in the U.S., has released the findings of its fourth annual C-suite Perspectives study. The 2026 report reveals executives moving faster, embracing flexibility and making decisions with urgency even in the face of uncertainty, while significant gaps remain between leadership and employee perceptions on change readiness, well-being, hybrid work and artificial intelligence.

Based on a survey of 100 C-suite executives and company owners, and 1,000 employed adults, along with in-depth interviews with more than 60 senior leaders, Padilla’s study shows leaders are increasingly comfortable navigating volatility but aware that success depends on bringing employees along with them.

“The constantly shifting landscape in U.S. policies (tariffs, regulatory changes and immigration) makes it difficult for leaders to set strategy and execute plans, but leaders are charging through that knowing that pivots are inevitable,” said Padilla president Matt Kucharski. “Bringing employees along, managing their expectations and helping them embrace change is more critical than ever.”

The 2026 C-suite Perspectives study, available to download for free, found leaders expressing an emphasis on “classic” leadership qualities like credibility, vision and authenticity, signaling a paradoxical need to show both certainty, stoicism and fearlessness, and at the same time acknowledging the uncertain.

Leaders today are managing an emerging “K-shape” that is taking root – a divergence of points of view between leadership and employees on change readiness, hybrid work, well-being and AI benefits. Key findings from the study include:

• Change Readiness: 2/3 of leaders believe employees are well-equipped to embrace and assist with change initiatives within the organization. In contrast, less than half of employed adults surveyed feel prepared.
• Well-being: Almost half of leaders believe employee well-being has improved over the past year, but only 25% of employed adults surveyed agree, citing reasons tied more to better health, self-care and mindset than internal workplace factors.
• Hybrid work: Nearly 1/4 of leaders are tightening expectations around the time spent in office, and offering fully remote models is becoming less and less popular. While they are clear in their own minds on the benefits, leaders are experiencing challenges articulating the tangible value of in-person interactions to employees.
• Artificial Intelligence: Nearly nine in ten leaders say their organizations are adopting AI aggressively or selectively, but are beginning to acknowledge that employees are viewing AI with more skepticism. This highlights the need for leaders to exercise both change management and thought leadership if they want their AI initiatives to stick.

To hear the full results of the C-suite Perspectives study, join Padilla for a free webinar on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 2pm ET / 1 pm CT. Register for free here.

Methodology

During the latter half of 2025, Padilla conducted an online survey of 100 C-suite executives and 1,000 employed adults; interviewed more than 60 C-suite leaders (transcribed and analyzed using both AI and human interpretation); and conducted desk research, checking work against other experts and trend-watchers exploring similar topics.

About Padilla

Padilla is a full-service agency that transforms brands and organizations through strategically creative communications. Our work across a range of industry sectors is consistently recognized by the PRWeek Awards, PRovoke IN2 SABRE Awards and PRSA Anvil Awards, among others. Padilla operates in seven cities in the U.S. through its family of brands, which includes SHIFT (performance communications), FoodMinds (food and nutrition affairs) and Joe Smith (brand strategy). As an AVENIR GLOBAL company and a founding member of the Worldcom Public Relations Group, the agency provides services to clients through 115 offices worldwide. Transform with purpose at PadillaCo.com.