Insights

From Reactive to Proactive: Building Leadership Pipelines That Work in 2026

• 
• Copied

As HR leaders look ahead to 2026, the race is on not just to fill roles — but to build future-ready leaders before gaps emerge. New research from DSG Global’s Workforce Power Index reveals that most organizations still struggle with succession planning and leadership development. Driving this shift is Aileen Alexander, CEO of executive search firm DSG Global, who urges HR to move beyond reactive talent management toward a more strategic, anticipatory approach.

---

“The underlying challenge is balancing the stability and continuity needed for today with the skills required for tomorrow’s market.”

— AILEEN K. ALEXANDER, CEO, DSG GLOBAL

---

In the piece from HR Executive, she outlines how aligning talent strategy with business goals, boosting digital fluency, and embedding human-centered skills like empathy and critical thinking are hallmarks of building leadership pipelines that actually work. Aileen also highlights the rising importance of the CHRO role — not just as HR leader but as a strategic business driver.

Read on to discover how organizations can shift from reacting to talent gaps to future-proofing their leadership bench in the HR Executive article here.