The 2026 Workforce Trends Series · Issue 03 · August 2026

03

The Succession Gap Is Widening

Who's building the bench and who's falling behind.

Boards are pushing harder on succession readiness while internal mobility into critical roles slows. The gap between intent and bench strength is now the #1 governance risk CHROs are being asked to close.

Publishing August 2026

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People & Organization · Pioneer Management Consulting

The series is the startof the conversation.

Pioneer's People & Organization practice helps HR leaders move from insight to action — on AI integration, workforce planning, succession, skills, operating models, and change capacity. The trends in this series are the work we do every day.

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Holly Stang-Williams

Holly Stang-Williams

Vice President, National Solutions at Pioneer Management Consulting