On the first impulse, one might think that to create real impact in the field of business compliance and corporate integrity, the starting point should be updating the compliance and ethics risk assessment, followed by listing preventive and control activities to mitigate those risks and fulfil all top applicable requirements. There is plenty of content out there about compliance risk trends for 2026. All of which is good and very much needed—eventually.

However, I would start elsewhere. I would first introduce what I see as the two most important personal advancement steps for compliance (and other) professionals and leaders—especially when we are entering a new year, a new quarter, or any new period in which we aim to leave a trace and make a positive impact.

Primarily, it is essential to reflect on what kind of season lies behind us and what is ahead, and to understand what this means through lenses of a wholesome, integrated human being like we are.

I am talking about personal situational awareness, first and foremost.

Start by assessing what you struggled with most in 2025 and what challenges you expect in 2026—both at work and in your private life. Of course, anything deeply personal should be handled in your own time and outside the professional environment. However, gaining new skills will not only prevent you from falling behind, but will have spill-over benefits to both personal and professional sphere. We must acknowledge that as integrated human beings, our brains and hearts do not divide between work and home.

Let’s not pretend that our full identity is limited to only being a professional Jane or Joshua, or that professional is completely detached from our private selves. Whatever is off balance in our personal life will, in one way or another, interfere with our work. You will likely still perform well—as a responsible professional or leader—but you will not reach your full impact. Worse, you may gradually drain yourself, if you do not practice true situational awareness. And that part is always individual and deeply personal.

Taking personal situational awareness into account when preparing your impact work plan can also reveal opportunities. Perhaps you moved homes in 2025 (as I did…), which consumed a lot of energy. But now, refreshed after the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and not moving this year around, presents a good chance to take on the big goals and more high impact activities at your work!

A different example: if your child is struggling at school, or if you or your loved ones are facing health-related issues, factor this into the balance sheet of your emotional energy and mental capacity. You and your close ones deserve that consideration—and so does your professional work.

You can still be impactful at your job, just through different types of activities. This is a good time to identify what already runs smoothly in your compliance practice, where your programme is well supported with resources, and then double down on those areas. Focused energy is powerful. You avoid exhausting yourself with high-effort initiatives that are not strictly required, and you preserve enough buffer to respond to urgent and unforeseen situations—at home or at work. Because we all know: the unexpected is always coming.

The concept works in the opposite direction, too. If you are facing a major project at work—such as implementing a new IT tool for third-party compliance management or you need to conduct your first compliance and integrity risk assessment—you may not want to plan major personal commitments at the same time, like your first overseas family travel.

We only live once, I agree, and you might want to do it all. I am all here for that!

It is possible to go big in both private and professional work, depending on how well and early you create well-run systems and can source additional support – either in your private or your business life. Please, do always make a special effort to source for additional support. Because you know that you need it!

Anyway, you get the picture.

Putting in the work to gain your personal situational awareness is an actual preparation for being focused, successful and energized – in whatever you do – especially, if you aim to be impactful and fulfilled, as a measure of your life and work.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” (Benjamin Franklin)

But now, you will not.

Even if you will need to recalibrate your plans along the way—because you didn’t think of everything (no one can)—the more strategic and intentional you are about how you live and work, the more confidence you will have to face change of circumstance, mistakes or other challenges.

“Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong—because you prepared.” (Brene Brown)

The second prerequisite to being impactful in 2026 is having the drive to carry you through difficult periods, preserve your mental space to notice beautiful moments, and have the energy to celebrate successes!

Having the drive does not mean waiting for motivation to magically appear. You can actually be sure that the motivation will not be there when you will need it most. What will be there is a discipline—built through robust routine. That is why you must know WHY for every of your planned projects. Why are they worth the effort and – in which order.

It doesn’t have to be all about why something is benefiting you. In fact, you should focus on why certain actions and projects from your sphere of control benefit your company, the stakeholders and others that matter the most.

Perhaps there is a new legal requirement, and the business could face serious penalties or market disadvantages, if you don’t comply properly. Maybe something specific is expected by the owner and the management, including yourself, will be held accountable. Another line of activities might be necessary for taking the big leap regarding the company’s ethical culture or making progress in other important developments of your compliance program. These will up the business’s reputation and business partners will turn more trusting, investors more attracted and regulators assured. Many compliance and ethics activities even protect the safety of people and the natural environment and make employees proud.

I am talking about purpose-driven, ethical values-based work. One of the most inspirational and sustainable. Whenever I get a chance, I ask fellow compliance and ethics professionals internationally what drives them in this line of work. The answer is always about the purpose and deep meaning of our compliance jobs – basically helping people to do the right thing and supporting businesses to operate lawfully and with integrity for all the benefits and consolation.

I will wrap up with a practical tip: Whatever you are planning to do and commit doing in 2026, follow this model: WHAT NOW – WHY – WHAT FIRST.