How to Lead Your Business with Culture and Purpose in 2026
“Leading Through Purpose and Culture in 2026.” | Ferguson Alliance
Many family business leaders are asking the same question:
“How do we re-energize our people and reinforce a shared sense of purpose in 2026?”
Ferguson Alliance explores this topic in detail in the following video (featured below) as well as in the accompanying article:
The Most Practical Way to Re-Energize Your Team: Ask Them What They Think
When asked for one practical tip to help leaders strengthen purpose and culture in the new year, Jay Rosen provided the following answer:
“You might try asking them what they think.”
It seems almost too simple, but that’s exactly why it’s so effective. In many family businesses, employees quietly wonder whether their perspectives matter. Whether justified or not, it’s easy for team members to feel unheard or unimportant. And when people feel undervalued, engagement drops, long before performance does.
As Jan Southern explains, simply asking for someone’s thoughts can be one of the most meaningful actions a leader takes. Even if their suggestion isn’t implemented, the act of asking signals:
- You’re important
- Your input is valued
- Your voice shapes the future of the company
When people feel seen and heard, they feel connected. And connection drives commitment.
Why Asking Questions Matters More Than Having the Answers
Leaders often put pressure on themselves to know it all. To have every solution, every next step, every strategic answer. However, as Rob Ferguson reminds watchers/readers:
“Leadership has the questions. Your people, and your customers, vendors, and suppliers, have the answers.”
If you want to improve customer service, ask the customers. If you want to improve operations, ask the employees closest to the work. And if you want to understand opportunities or challenges, talk to the partners who see your business from the outside in.
Participation Builds Purpose
When employees feel they can contribute, when they know their ideas matter, they don’t just “work for” the business, but participate in it. That sense of participation strengthens:
- Engagement
- Loyalty
- Ownership thinking
- Team cohesion
- Purpose alignment
For additional information on leading with culture and purpose throughout 2026, please watch the video and read the original article found on the Ferguson Alliance website.
Subscribe to eNewsletter
