CLO Priorities 2026: Balancing Performance & People

Introduction

Your role as Chief Learning Officer has never been more complex.
You’re expected to demonstrate ROI, enable workforce agility, and drive retention while managing change fatigue and implementing transformative technology.

This research brief from Brandon Hall Group™, licensed to EI powered by MPS, explores how leading CLOs are balancing these competing priorities to create measurable, enterprise-wide impact.

Research Brief Overview

• The Balancing Act: Why Everything Feels Urgent Simultaneously
• Change Fatigue: The Constraint Killing Your Best Initiatives
• Retention and Internal Mobility: Making the Invisible Visible
• The Bridge Role: Your Strategic Value During Disruption
• Enterprise Value: The Metrics That Actually Matter
• Embedding Business Strategy into L&D
• Collaboration with Other Talent-Focused Functions
• What Happens If You Don’t Act
• Your Opportunity: Building Resilience When It Matters Most

FAQs

1. Who should read this brief?

This brief is designed for Chief Learning Officers, L&D heads, and talent leaders who want to align learning with business strategy and drive measurable performance outcomes.

2. What will I gain from reading it?

You’ll get practical insights on overcoming change fatigue, improving retention, embedding learning in the flow of work, and demonstrating business impact through data-driven strategies.

3. Is the report free to access?

Yes. The brief is available for free download as part of our commitment to advancing high-impact learning practices.

4. How can I apply these insights in my organization?

Use the findings as a roadmap to evaluate your current learning strategy, identify capability gaps, and implement initiatives that strengthen alignment between workforce development and business goals.

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