What a year.

No one could have predicted the twists we saw in leadership, hiring, and the future of work—but here we are, closing out another unpredictable, enlightening, and wildly transformative year.

After 25 years in executive search and talent strategy, I thought I had seen it all:

the dot-com bust, the global financial crisis, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and the rewiring of how we work.

Yet 2025 still managed to surprise me.

In this episode, I’m wrapping up the year with candor, clarity, and zero sugarcoating:

what really happened in the job market, how leaders changed, which trends matter for 2026, and the invisible thread that connected every episode of this podcast.

And yes… I also talk about turning “that age,” my first year of podcasting, assumptions that blew up (in business and friendships), and why emotional intelligence is becoming the new currency of leadership.

In this episode:

• Great leadership in 2026 will come down to clarity, courage, transparency, and emotional intelligence.
• Leaders who thrive will be the ones who can have difficult conversations and actually listen.
• The job market is shifting, but leaders with strong self-awareness and strong teams will weather the changes.
• Your culture, not compensation, will determine whether your high-pos stay or take the recruiter call.

💬 Connect with Kim: linkedin.com/in/frostkim

🌐 Learn more: frostconnections.com