How Will You Lead, Grow, and Adapt in 2026?
Two Conversations to Help You Set Intentions for the Year Ahead
A new year doesn’t just invite fresh goals—it asks better questions.
As we step into 2026, many of us are rethinking how we lead, how we use technology, and what kind of momentum we want to carry forward. This week’s Top Voices events bring together two timely conversations designed to help you reflect, recalibrate, and move into the new year with clarity and confidence.
One conversation explores how emerging technologies and digital cultures are reshaping value, trust, and decision-making. The other zooms in on the human side of leadership—how presence, mindset, and intentional communication shape influence in a fast-moving world.
Together, these sessions remind us that progress isn’t about chasing every new tool or trend. It’s about choosing what truly supports your growth—professionally, financially, and personally—as the year ahead unfolds.
Before you dive in, we’d love to hear from you:
What will your New Year’s resolution focus on in 2025?
- 🌱 Personal Growth
- 🎯 Professional Goals
- 💪 Health & Wellness
- 💬 Others (comment below)
👉 Cast your vote and share your intention—your response helps shape the conversations we host, the topics we explore, and the voices we elevate throughout the year.
With your intention set, let’s move into the first conversation—one that explores how we navigate change, make sense of emerging tools, and lead with clarity as 2026 unfolds.
How to Recover from the Worst Performance Review and Reclaim Your Career Path
A single performance review can feel like a verdict on your entire career. For Tim • • Dickey, that moment came at the end of his active-duty service in the United States Navy—a final evaluation so painful it stayed with him decades later.
What followed, however, wasn’t the end of his professional story. It was the beginning of a powerful pivot.
In this Life Lessons Learned episode, Tim shared how one devastating review became the catalyst for resilience, reinvention, and a 25-year Reserve career. His story offers reassurance to anyone who has ever been labeled “not good enough.”
How to Reframe a Career-Defining Setback When It Feels Personal
“One of the most heart-wrenching moments I’ve ever had professionally was receiving my final evaluation.”
Despite years of top-tier performance—including selection to elite submarine duty—Tim’s final evaluation before leaving active duty was unexpectedly poor. The shock wasn’t just professional; it was deeply personal.
This moment highlights a hard truth: even strong track records don’t always protect us from unfair or poorly timed evaluations.
Harvard Business Review shows that performance reviews often reflect contextual feedback and biases, not fixed measures of capability — and reframing feedback as information, not identity, is key to growth.
Why One Conversation Can Change the Direction of Your Entire Career
“He said, ‘Tim, crumple this up and throw it in the garbage. I know you’re better than this.’”
Rather than reinforcing the damage, Tim’s supervisor did something rare: he reframed the moment. He urged Tim to discard the evaluation, return to college, and view the next chapter as a fresh start—not a failure.
That simple act of belief changed everything.
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that supportive feedback and mentorship dramatically increase resilience after professional setbacks
How to Pivot After Failure Without Letting It Define You
“Do not allow this evaluation to define what your future is.”
Tim took that advice seriously. He reflected, realigned his goals, and chose a new path—one that led to nearly 25 years of service in the Navy Reserve and a successful retirement.
The lesson is clear: failure only defines you if you stop moving.
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shows that people who view setbacks as learning moments are far more likely to sustain long-term success.
3 Lessons for Anyone Facing a Bad Review or Career Rejection
“One bad evaluation does not determine who you are professionally or what your future looks like.”
From Tim’s experience, three powerful lessons stand out:
- Performance reviews are moments—not verdicts
- Perspective from the right person can change everything
- Time and choices matter more than labels
These lessons apply far beyond the military—to corporate roles, leadership positions, and personal reinvention.
How to Move Forward When Circumstances Are Working Against You
“Pivot and adjust—even under bad circumstances.”
Resilience doesn’t mean pretending failure didn’t hurt. It means refusing to let it be the final word. Tim’s story reminds us that careers are long, nonlinear journeys—and one painful chapter can still lead to a meaningful ending.
How to Apply This Lesson to Your Own Career
If you’re carrying the weight of a bad review, rejection, or missed opportunity, ask yourself:
- What can I learn from this?
- Who can help me reframe it?
- What small step moves me forward?
Progress begins the moment you decide that this isn’t the end of your story.
3 Ways to Continue the Conversation
📺 Watch the Full Episode The Worst Performance Review I Ever Got (And What I Did Next) — Life Lessons Learned
✍️ Reflect on Your Own Pivot Point
Write down one moment you thought defined you—and how you might reframe it today.
🤝 Connect with the Host
Follow Tim • • Dickey for insights on leadership, resilience, and navigating career transitions with perspective and purpose.
What Happens When AI Productivity, Infrastructure, and Humanity Collide?
As 2025 came to a close last Wednesday, Nick Larson, Cory Warfield featuring Michael Noffsinger and Patrick Gable comes together last December 31, 2025 (3:00 PM ET) as Silicon Zombies wrapped the year with a wide-ranging, future-focused conversation—exploring how AI tools, compute breakthroughs, virtual influencers, and human connection are reshaping what’s possible in 2026 and beyond.
Rather than hype, this discussion focused on real productivity gains, infrastructure shifts, and the human adaptations required as AI becomes woven into daily life.
How AI Tools Are Compressing Time and Expanding Creativity
“NotebookLM saves me about 50% of my time to market for any project.” — Cory Warfield
Cory shared how AI productivity tools—especially NotebookLM—have fundamentally changed his workflow. Tasks that once took dozens of hours now take minutes, from pitch decks to infographics and learning complex topics through interactive AI-generated podcasts.
“These are the best pitch decks and infographics I’ve ever produced.” — Cory Warfield
The broader implication: AI isn’t replacing creativity—it’s removing friction, allowing creators and founders to focus on ideas, storytelling, and impact.
Why Virtual Influencers and AI Media Are Becoming Big Business
“Virtual influencers are now a $900 million industry.” — Cory Warfield
From Lil Miquela to AI-generated viral content, the panel unpacked how digital personas are driving real revenue. Cory explained his own strategy—combining AI-generated baby influencer content with a social-impact business model that supports children’s education and access to technology.
“Consumers want to support brands that align with their values.” — Nick Larson
This signals a shift: audiences increasingly reward brands that combine entertainment, ethics, and purpose.
What Breakthroughs in Compute Could Unlock Next
“Graphene will replace silicon and make compute essentially frictionless.” — Cory Warfield
The discussion moved beyond software into hardware and material science. From LPUs and TPUs to graphene and quantum-adjacent systems, the panel emphasized that compute constraints are rapidly disappearing.
“We’re moving toward AI-specific chips that are thousands of times faster and more efficient.” — Cory Warfield
This evolution underpins everything from real-time AI agents to edge computing and new forms of immersive digital interaction.
Is AGI Closer Than Most People Think?
While acknowledging debate, Cory outlined why exponential progress, clean datasets, and recursive models point toward Artificial General Intelligence arriving sooner than expected.
“The real challenge isn’t AI keeping up—it’s humans keeping up.” — Cory Warfield
Michael Noffsinger added that world models—integrating vision, sound, and sensory data—are rapidly expanding AI’s understanding of physical reality.
How AI Is Quietly Saving Lives Today
“In public safety, seconds matter—and AI is already making the difference.” — Patrick Gable
Patrick highlighted less-visible AI applications: emergency response, healthcare augmentation, and infrastructure that reduces response times from minutes to seconds.
“AI isn’t replacing people—it’s supporting teams that are already stretched thin.” — Patrick Gable
These examples ground the future conversation in immediate, human-centered impact.
3 Takeaways for Leaders Entering 2026
- AI Is a Force Multiplier, Not a Shortcut “You still need critical thinking—AI should support it, not replace it.” — Cory Warfield
- Infrastructure Matters as Much as Models Compute, energy, and hardware breakthroughs will determine what AI can realistically deliver.
- Human Connection Will Become More Valuable, Not Less “As AI floods digital spaces, people will crave real human experiences.” — Michael Noffsinger
How to Prepare for an AI-Saturated World Without Losing Your Humanity
The panel closed on a powerful note: as AI becomes invisible and embedded everywhere, intentional disconnection, creativity, and critical thinking will matter more than ever.
“We have to make sure people don’t lose the ability to think for themselves.” — Cory Warfield
3 Ways to Continue the Conversation
📺 Watch the Full Episode SZ 204: AI Zombies Ft. Cory Warfield
🤝 Connect With the Speakers
- Follow Nick Larson for ongoing conversations at the edge of technology and leadership
- Follow Cory Warfield for insights on AI tools, ethical innovation, and Tech for Good
- Connect with Michael Noffsinger to join discussions on AI communities and infrastructure
- Follow Patrick Gable for real-world applications of AI in public safety and human systems
🧠 Reflect and Apply
Ask yourself: Which part of my work could benefit most from AI—and where should human judgment remain non-negotiable?
A Note of Gratitude as We Step Into 2026
Before we close, we want to say thank you.
To every Top Voices Unite member, speaker, collaborator, and listener—thank you for making 2025 a year of insight, connection, and courageous conversations. Your curiosity, generosity, and willingness to engage are what turn these events into something more than content—they turn them into community.
As we carry everything we’ve learned into 2026, we’re excited to keep building alongside you—exploring new ideas, elevating meaningful voices, and creating space for growth that lasts.
Here’s to the journey ahead. 🚀 Let’s keep moving—together.