Executives entering 2026 face a fundamentally different landscape than the one they operated in even a year ago. The mantra of “growth at any cost” has been replaced by a new mandate of efficiency and replicability as the true drivers of today’s value creation. Meanwhile, AI presents as many challenges and questions as it does opportunities, raising concerns about where it truly adds value and where it distracts.
Against this backdrop, leaders who build systems instead of relying on heroics, who prioritize clarity over activity, and who adopt a mindset designed for volatility will be the ones who outperform.
In a recent conversation, PE advisor, fractional CMO and GTM expert Archita Fritz highlighted the shifts she believes will define the year ahead and the mindset leaders must adopt to stay ahead of the game.
Lesson 1: Quality of Growth Is Everything
In a market defined by volatility and tighter capital constraints, sustainability is the new marker of success. Whether you’re presenting to the board or positioning the business for exit, investors no longer reward happenstantial spikes in top-line performance. Growth must be efficient, repeatable, and systematized to demonstrate lasting enterprise value.
“The mindset of ‘growth at any cost’ is dead. What is being judged now is the quality of the growth. Boards are asking: Can we replicate this sales motion? How efficient is it? How repeatable is it?” — Archita Fritz, PE advisor, fractional CMO and GTM expert