Six Months In, and Six Opportunities to Work Together in 2026
By Mitchell Schuckman, PCC | Founder, The Schuckman Group
Looking back on these first six months of running The Schuckman Group, a few highlights stand out. These experiences shaped the work I want to keep doing, and they might spark ideas for you or your colleagues as you plan for 2026. There is room for more coaching clients, more leadership work, and more proposal and growth support next year. If anything here feels useful, let’s have a discussion.
1. Coaching Leaders Through Big Moments - Helping people find clarity and confidence when it matters
Coaching has been the most consistent part of the work. Leaders across multiple organizations and countries have used coaching to prepare for promotion, navigate mid-career questions, manage the impact of AI, rethink their growth, recover from burnout, or work through meaningful life transitions. Coaching has given them a grounded place to think. It has helped them make decisions that fit their lives and goals. Many have said they feel more confident and more focused as we work together.
If you have colleagues or rising leaders who would benefit from this kind of support in 2026, I am glad to help.
2. Sharpening Proposals with Storytelling and AI - Turning complex pursuits into clear, compelling stories
Several teams asked me to join important pursuits this year. Together, we shaped stronger narratives, prepared for orals, aligned around a client-value story, and used AI tools to accelerate proposal preparation. The real benefit always came from tightening the story, improving connection with the buyer, thinking more intentionally about pricing, and helping teams present with clarity.
If your teams will be facing significant pursuits or growth expectations next year, we can strengthen your approach and help you win more of the work that matters.
3. Fractional Growth and Revenue Leadership - Building stronger growth discipline inside the team
A surprise this year was how many organizations wanted fractional support rather than a one-off proposal coach or a full-time hire. Instead of stepping in for a single pursuit, my work expanded into helping teams improve their overall approach to growth, client retention, pricing, and pursuit discipline. It feels less like consulting and more like joining the team. Because of that, the impact comes faster, both on revenue and on the confidence of the people doing the work.
If your practice, office, or region wants more structure and momentum around business development in 2026, this is worth a conversation.
4. The Whole Leader Program with Dr. Jennifer Byrnes - Supporting leaders under real pressure
Jennifer and I built this program for leaders navigating intense and constant pressure. AI uncertainty, market shifts, geopolitical strain, and changing client expectations have altered what leadership feels like day to day. People want the behavioral science behind why they feel what they feel, and tools that help them stay grounded when stress peaks. The response has been extremely positive.
If you're planning leadership training for partners or rising leaders in 2026, this program can make a real difference.
5. Strengthening Team and Client Cohesion - Helping teams and clients operate as one
Several service leaders brought me in to facilitate honest, practical sessions designed to strengthen teamwork and encourage a more collaborative team culture. In some cases, these included delivery teams and their key clients sitting together. These conversations surfaced friction quickly and rebuilt trust. When people understand each other’s pressures, alignment comes faster. When all parties feel seen and connected to a broader purpose, new opportunities appear that were not obvious before.
If you manage a team under pressure, or you are nurturing an important client relationship, these sessions can reset direction and encourage stronger collaboration.
6. Building Everyday Business Development Habits - Helping professionals stay visable, valuable and connected
AI has changed the work, but presence still wins. In these interactive workshops, professionals practiced simple habits that keep them close to clients through meaningful follow ups, steady presence, and sharing useful content. No one felt like they were selling. They felt like they were strengthening relationships in a natural way. Leaders said their teams were more confident in the market and more consistent in their relationship-building after these sessions.
If you want to build a healthier business development culture in 2026, this is a practical place to start.
Looking Ahead to What We Can Build Together
These first six months reinforced something important. This work is meaningful to me, and I want to keep building on it. There is capacity heading into 2026, and these highlights reflect the areas where clients have found real value. Coaching, leadership development, business growth, and pursuit strategy are all areas where progress can happen quickly with the right support.
If any of these areas feel relevant to you or your team, reach out anytime. I would welcome the conversation.