Thinking Your Way Out in 2026

We cannot work our way out of problems in 2026; you need to think your way out!

Statistics show that people who are trying to work harder to get better results are just punishing themselves and moving ever closer to burnout and fatigue. The rate of stress illness is on an ever-increasing rate, with more absenteeism and job abandonment than ever.

We need to start thinking better, not working harder. Being able to cope with the high demand of today’s work environment requires key thinking skills that dictate and direct your performance.

The old analogy of: when you need more time, pause to think, should become your daily mantra. We are enabled with technology, tools and teams all around us, yet most leaders choose to just put their heads down and try to work harder.

But thinking is not just a skill you acquire; it requires a framework, implementation and practice. The i5 strategic thinking framework models the Ideate, Innovate, Incubate, Initiate and Impact. Each phase is specifically designed with processes and outcomes to maximise the principles of innovation.

So next time you find yourself in a corner, I am the guy you need with you in that corner. My job is to sharpen how you think, so you can change what you do. For better.