How the First Week of 2026 Is Quietly Shaping Leadership Direction
7 Quiet Reflections That Shaped the First Week of 2026
How Did Your First Week of 2026 Actually Feel?
The first week of a new year rarely arrives with fireworks.
For many of us, it comes quietly—between resetting calendars, returning to routines, and carrying the emotional residue of everything that came before. January doesn’t always begin with certainty. Often, it begins with awareness.
At Emerging Voices Unite , we opened 2026 by slowing down just enough to notice what we’re bringing with us, what we’re grateful for, and how leadership is already shifting—sometimes without an announcement.
Because the most meaningful growth doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes, it looks honest.
What From 2025 Deserves to Be Carried Forward?
We began the week with a simple but grounding invitation:
What’s one moment, lesson, or connection from 2025 that shaped you and deserves to be carried into 2026?
This reminded us that leadership foundations are often built quietly:
- A conversation that changed perspective
- A community that offered steadiness during uncertainty
- A lesson learned slowly, but deeply
Research consistently shows that reflective practices strengthen decision-making and emotional regulation in leaders. According to research, showing reflection helps people extract lessons from experience and improves performance.
This wasn’t about summarizing a year—it was about anchoring one.
Join the reflection:
Why Gratitude Shapes How We Lead, Connect, and Create
On Thursday, we asked another grounding question:
What are you most grateful for right now—and how will that gratitude influence how you lead, connect, or create this year?
Gratitude surfaced not as a sentiment, but as a leadership compass:
- Gratitude clarified priorities
- Gratitude highlighted what people want to protect
- Gratitude influenced how leaders show up for others
Psychological research supports this. Gratitude practices are linked to improved resilience, empathy, and long-term motivation.
🔗 Add your voice: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7414999316685045761
How Grateful Is Our Community as 2026 Begins?
We closed the week with a community pulse check:
How grateful are you to be part of EVU this 2026?
The early results showed something meaningful:
Our community is very grateful—and growing.
That gratitude isn’t taken lightly.
We’re thankful for every member who is:
- Finding their rhythm
- Rooting themselves more deeply
- Or just beginning to explore this space
And we’re still listening.
🔗 Cast your vote: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7415361787740479489
Why does this matter? These outcomes show that when people feel valued by their community or organization, they are not only more engaged but also more likely to contribute meaningfully and sustainably.
How Leaders from Emerging Voices Shifts Show Up in Real Time
How Devinder Sodhi Turned Gratitude into Momentum at CES
Devinder shared a moment that captures what unannounced leadership shifts often look like: returning to a childhood dream—this time as a contributor, builder, and representative.
From attending CES on his own terms to representing Solo Tech and engaging with cutting-edge innovation, this post reflected gratitude, autonomy, and purpose converging.
- Read the post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/devindersodhi_i-am-at-ces-no-approvals-from-a-boss-no-activity-7413651718539902976-WxH1
- Connect with Devinder Sodhi on LinkedIn and follow his journey in AI strategy and education.
What Ed McAndrew Teaches Us About Small Wins That Compound
Ed reminded us that leadership momentum doesn’t require dramatic reinvention.
It starts with:
- One small habit
- One clear short-term win
- One consistent action repeated
His reflection reinforced a timeless truth: long-term goals are achieved through short-term victories.
🔗 View the post:
👉 Visit Ed McAndrew ’s LinkedIn profile to follow his insights on consistency, mindset, and leadership longevity.
What Leadership Support Looks Like in Practice This Year
To support leaders stepping into bigger roles, we also shared the Market Me More Team’s 4-Week Leadership Intensive—designed for VP and C-suite transitions within the Top Voices Unite and Emerging Voices Unite communities.
This program focuses on:
- Executive presence
- Decision-making under pressure
- Identity alignment at senior levels
🔗 Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7414765630974865408
What Quiet Shift Are You Carrying Into 2026?
As the first week of 2026 settles, one thing is clear:
Leadership doesn’t always announce itself.
Sometimes, it shows up as gratitude.
Sometimes, as clarity.
Sometimes, as choosing community again.
If your year began slowly, that’s okay. If it began with momentum, that’s okay too.
What matters is that you’re here—and that you’re carrying forward what truly shaped you.
- Stay connected with Emerging Voices Unite
- Join the conversations that matter
- Grow alongside leaders who value reflection as much as action
Your voice matters—especially in the moments that shape you quietly.