This Week in Leadership (Jan 19 - Jan 25)

Why are some companies are running into problems with their performance reviews? What, exactly, is a corporate affordability crisis? How do you develop a new career strategy in 2026? Here are some recent articles by Korn Ferry's content team on leadership-related news.

When You Get a 2 Rating 

As performance-review season begins, a new study suggests people want narratives, not numbers. But do managers have the time? 

Affordability: It’s a Crisis for Companies, Too 

CFOs are facing enormous cost increases this year. The success of some firms—and their employees—hangs in the balance.  

It’s Friday: Hello, Anyone There?

Just 12% of in-office workdays happen on Fridays, representing half the attendance of midweek. Why that’s frustrating leaders. 

5 Career Strategies for the New Year

It's likely to remain a tough hiring and promotion market, but experts say January is a good time to get planning.  

What’s Slowing Down AI Adoption

Best-selling author Dan Goleman argues that the issue has nothing to do with the technology’s complexity. 

Mind or Machine: The Illusion of Consciousness

Korn Ferry researchers explore what conscious AI truly means—and why advanced systems often appear “aware.”