The start of a new year always makes me reflect.
After spending more than two decades working with professionals and hiring leaders across the electrical, power, and energy industries, I’ve noticed something consistent about January: it’s when people start asking themselves the questions they’ve been avoiding.
Am I still growing here?
Am I valued?
Is this role helping me get where I want to go?
What’s interesting is that many of the people I speak with aren’t unhappy. They’re capable, employed, and doing good work. But they’ve outgrown their role, their company dynamic has changed, or the future no longer feels clear. At the same time, I’m hearing from employers who know how critical good people are yet struggle to find or keep them.
As we move into 2026, I see a shift happening.
Candidates are being more intentional. They’re asking about leadership, stability, culture, and long-term opportunity. It’s not all about the money. Employers, in turn, are realizing that poor hiring decisions have long-term implications, but that the right hire can have an outsized impact on the business.
The new year creates momentum. It’s when résumés get updated, goals get revisited, and conversations that should have happened months ago finally take place. In my experience, the people who take time early in the year to reflect and plan tend to make better decisions later on.
My advice for 2026 is simple: just be honest with yourself.
It doesn’t matter if you’re early-, mid-, or seasoned-career. Ask whether your current role is still moving you forward. If you’re a hiring manager, take a hard look at whether your team is built for where your business is headed-not just where it’s been.
I’m absolutely optimistic about 2026. For those wanting to be intentional and proactive, it has all the ingredients to be a very strong year. Only you can make something happen.
