The challenges facing executives and managers in French-speaking Switzerland… and how to turn them into drivers of sustainable performance
Are you a business leader, senior executive or team manager in French-speaking Switzerland? In Lausanne, Geneva, Neuchâtel or Fribourg, you already anticipate that 2026 will be shaped by the acceleration of AI, widespread hybrid work, employees’ search for meaning, and increasing pressure around the prevention of psychosocial risks (PSR) and burnout.
AI is redefining processes, turnover is expensive, hybrid teams struggle to stay connected, and expectations around well-being and engagement are skyrocketing. In this context, professional coaching in companies and executive coaching are no longer a luxury: they have become a strategic investment to maintain performance, resilience and employer attractiveness.
Here are the major challenges for 2026 in French-speaking Swiss organisations… and the concrete approaches we use in corporate coaching and executive coaching to turn them into opportunities.
1. Hybrid leadership and AI: how to remain a human and inspiring leader?
In 2026, leadership must combine mastery of AI (decision support, automation) with the preservation of human connection in a hybrid world.
Actionable solutions in coaching:
- Develop inclusive and collaborative leadership: short hybrid team rituals (5–10 min emotional check-ins) to maintain cohesion.
- Integrate AI without losing human judgment: coaching to redefine roles and priorities in the face of automation.
- Strengthen managers’ emotional intelligence: reading subtle signs of demotivation at a distance becomes critical.
2. Burnout and PSR prevention: a major legal and economic issue
Overload, blurred work-life boundaries and cognitive overload threaten team health… and overall performance.
What companies gain from targeted support:
- Implement the “3R rule” at team level: short Rest, Active Recovery, Collective Reflection (e.g. monthly well-being retrospective).
- Train managers to detect early warning signs and set organisational boundaries (e.g. no-email-after-7pm charter).
- Provide individual coaching for at-risk executives through burnout-prevention coaching: perceived stress can be halved in 8–12 weeks.
3. Managers’ confidence and self-assertion: the foundation of effective management
A manager who doubts themselves transmits that doubt to their team. In 2026, self-assertion at work is a key lever for credibility and collective motivation.
Tools deployed in professional coaching:
- Anchoring an “optimal posture” before important meetings to build confidence.
- Journaling of managerial wins: note 3 team successes per week to reframe perspective.
- Adapted DESC method for management: Describe, Express, Specify, positive Consequences – to say no or set boundaries without conflict.
4. Assertive communication and conflict management: for high-performing teams
Hybrid tensions (remote misunderstandings) and value divergences are growing. Assertive communication and proactive conflict management are becoming strategic skills.
Practical practices in team training and coaching:
- Emotion wheel to accurately name feelings during meetings.
- Non-violent communication (Observation–Feeling–Need–Request) to defuse tension.
- DISC workshops or emotional intelligence sessions to improve cooperation and reduce friction.
5. Providing meaning, engaging teams, attracting and retaining talent: the real HR challenge of 2026
Employees want meaning, recognition and balance. Companies that invest in leadership development coaching and well-being retain talent better.
Observed results:
- Managers more aligned with their values → more engaged teams.
- Stronger culture of feedback and recognition.
- Better retention and employer attractiveness.
Ready to make 2026 a year of calm and sustainable performance?
At Coaching Léman, we have been supporting executives, managers and teams in French-speaking Switzerland (Lausanne, Geneva, Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Vaud) for over 15 years through:
- Individual executive coaching
- Team coaching and hybrid cohesion
- In-company training: leadership, emotional intelligence, stress/PSR management, assertive communication, DISC…
Special early 2026 offer:
Free diagnostic session for your organisation (executive or HR) – assessment of your priority challenges and customised support plan.
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