Moving Your Business Forward in the Year of the Horse
Growth, Momentum and Retention in 2026
On 17th February, we welcome the Lunar New Year and step into the Year of the Horse, a symbol traditionally associated with energy, ambition, freedom, endurance and forward momentum.
For businesses, the Lunar New Year as well as being a time for celebration for many cultures, provides a powerful moment of reflection, reset and strategic intention-setting. Within a business context we can find alignment with themes that drive growth, leadership strength and retention in the year ahead.
If 2026 is your year to move forward with pace and purpose, here’s how to channel the spirit of the Horse into tangible business action!
1. Harness Momentum - But With Direction
The Horse represents drive and acceleration. But speed without clarity creates burnout, churn and poor hiring decisions.
In 2026, growth must be intentional.
Ask:
Are we hiring reactively or strategically?
Are our leaders empowered or overloaded?
Is every new hire aligned with clear 6–12 month outcomes?
Businesses that move forward successfully this year will do so with structured hiring plans, defined role clarity and realistic market benchmarking.
2. Strengthen Leadership Capacity
The Horse is independent but thrives when guided well. The same applies to high-performing teams.
One of the biggest blockers to scale is leadership bandwidth. When senior leaders are stretched, decision-making slows and retention suffers.
In our experience across EA, HR, Business Support and Operations recruitment, investing in strong support functions is one of the most effective ways to unlock leadership capacity.
Strategic EAs, People leaders and Operations professionals:
Reduce friction
Improve communication
Drive consistency
Protect strategic time
The result? Leaders lead. Teams perform. Businesses scale.
3. Build a Culture That Retains
In the Year of the Horse, freedom and autonomy are key themes. Modern professionals want trust, clarity and space to perform.
Retention in 2026 will depend on:
Transparent communication
Clear onboarding beyond week one
Manager capability and feedback literacy
Ongoing development and CPD opportunities
Psychological safety
Businesses that treat onboarding as a 3–6 month journey, rather than a one-week checklist, will see stronger loyalty and faster time-to-impact.
4. Embrace Cultural Awareness in Global Business
Acknowledging the Lunar New Year within your organisation signals cultural awareness and inclusion — especially for international teams or clients.
Small actions matter:
Recognise the date internally
Celebrate diversity across your workforce
Align strategic planning with symbolic renewal
Use the moment as a leadership reset
Inclusive cultures attract broader talent pools and strengthen employer brand positioning.
5. Think Long-Term, Not Just Quarterly
The Horse symbolises endurance. Sustainable businesses are built with stamina, not sprints.
As we move through 2026, consider:
Are we building teams that will last, not just fill gaps?
Are we investing in development to prevent churn?
Are we choosing hiring partners who understand longevity, not just speed?
Working with specialist, boutique recruitment partners, like C&C Search who understand sector nuances across EA, HR, Business Support and Operations ensures that hires align with culture, pace and long-term strategy.
Final Thought: Let 2026 Be the Year of Strategic Energy
Businesses that combine momentum with clarity, leadership investment with cultural intelligence and hiring precision with long-term development will move further, faster and with greater resilience.
If you’re planning growth, reviewing retention or strengthening your hiring strategy this year, we’d love to support you. Reach out to hello@candcsearch.co.uk
