As we step into FY26, we’re seeing hesitation creeping into conversations. Teams holding back. Leaders waiting for alignment that never quite arrives. Momentum quietly stalling.
And here’s the irony: many of these teams are already aligned. What they’re missing isn’t direction. It’s hope.
Hope isn’t a fluffy concept. It’s forward energy. It’s the sense that action is worth it. That progress is possible. That trying again will lead somewhere new.
In culture work, we see it often:
- Teams who know what matters, but aren’t acting on it
- People waiting for more permission than they actually need
- Leaders quietly wondering if it’s even worth pushing
When hope falls away, culture starts to drift. The good news? It doesn’t take much to bring it back.
From “We’ll See” to “Let’s Try”
Hesitation sounds like: “Let’s hold off until we’ve got more clarity.”
Hope sounds like: “Let’s take a first step and learn as we go.”
Try this: Next time someone says, “We’re not ready,” ask, “Ready for what, exactly?”
Often, the bar doesn’t exist. It’s just habit.
From Cautious Waiting to Deliberate Movement
You don’t need full certainty to act. You need enough to move.
Try asking your team: “If we were 10% bolder this quarter, what would we do differently?”
From Low Energy to Directional Belief
Hope builds when people see how today’s work connects to something that matters.
Try this: Open your next meeting with, “Here’s why this work matters right now.” Simple. Consistent. Hopeful.
What We’re Seeing
Many teams aren’t struggling with priorities, they’re struggling with belief.
They’ve done the heavy thinking. The values, strategy, and intent are all there. But belief hasn’t landed. That’s a leadership moment. Hope isn’t just emotional—it’s cultural capital.
WHAT'S WORTH YOUR TIME
📘 Hope Rising – Hellman & Gwinn. A grounded take on hope as measurable, buildable, and practical.
📄 Eight Ways You Can Feel More Hopeful—Even in Dark Times. A research-informed piece highlighting how small wins, purposeful action and steady leadership can foster a sense of hope in uncertain times.
🎧 Futurist Amy Webb on What's Coming (and What's Here). Quantitative futurist Amy Webb unpacks the “super cycle” of AI, wearable devices, and biotechnology and why we need to plan for the future, even amid rapid change.
LISTEN AND LEAD
CULTURESHIFT
If your team is aligned but stuck, it’s probably not a strategy problem but a culture signal.
Cultureshift helps leaders move beyond intention and into action by anchoring the right signals in the everyday. It’s practical, energising, and built to shift culture without needing to overhaul everything.
We work with teams who are ready to move but aren’t sure where to start. If that’s you, we should talk.
Where is your team waiting for clarity when what they really need is belief?
Learn More: www.thepeoplegame.com/cultureshift
Regards,
The People Game
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