Good afternoon,

I trust that you had a great holiday season and hope 2026 is off to a strong start!  As we begin the new year, there is a clear sense of momentum carrying forward from the close of 2025.

Despite a complex economic backdrop, businesses across our professional network are entering January with renewed confidence, sharper focus, and measured optimism. 

The progress and resilience demonstrated at the end of last year have created a constructive foundation for growth, positioning the months ahead for thoughtful expansion and sustained engagement.

In parallel with this momentum, I have been engaged by several businesses to help structure and plan their 2026 hiring needs across a wide range of functional areas, from executive leadership to professional-level roles.

These conversations reflect a thoughtful and proactive approach to workforce planning as organizations position themselves for the year ahead. I welcome the opportunity to connect and discuss these efforts further and am always happy to find time to exchange perspectives.

Quotes & The Stories Behind Them

While never intended for this, people have started sharing quotes with me when they come across them. Even more so, some have shared quote boards they’ve stumbled upon in their travels.

My buddy, Steve O’Neil, recently sent me a photo from an auto repair shop. In the waiting area, a chalkboard displayed a dozen different quotes. Two of them really spoke to me:

“Luck = Preparation × Opportunity.”

“Never miss a good chance to shut up.”

 Now, I’m going to comment on the latter: 

"Never miss a good chance to shut up."

— Bob's Motorcycles

If you know me well, you know I usually own who I am, flaws and all. I’m long-winded. I talk things out. And I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit trying to break my habit of cutting people off mid-sentence. Over time, I’ve come to understand a bit of the psychology behind it. It’s not arrogance or impatience; it’s the fear of forgetting what I want to say before the moment passes.

That understanding doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it does force me to be honest with myself. Maybe that’s why this quote hit me so hard. Heading into 2026, maybe the lesson isn’t about becoming quieter, it’s about becoming more intentional. Maybe growth looks like resisting the urge to fill every silence, to prove a point, or to rush a thought out loud. Maybe it’s about knowing when the best contribution I can make is none at all. Or, put more bluntly, knowing when to just shut up, Johnny.

Because there’s something powerful that happens when you listen a little longer. You learn what someone was actually trying to say, not just what you assumed they were about to say. You give people space to change their mind, to land their own point, or to let the conversation naturally move on. And sometimes, the most important thing you can learn isn’t found in the words you add…but in the ones you choose not to say.

The Work.

This past week, I attended two events that were both relevant to 2026 economic forecasts.

First was the ACG [Association for Corporate Growth] Deal Market Update, an impressive panel-led discussion around the latest activity and emerging trends shaping the lower middle market.

Key takeaways:

• 79% of business owners will be open to selling their company in 2026.

• 5 years is now the average hold for an acquisition.

• There are 13,000 organizations presently owned by PE.

The second event was XPX 2026 Economic Outlook. Another impressive presentation by Larry Adam, Chief Investment Officer of Raymond James. His presentation, 2026 Outlook Mission: POSSIBLE, was a ten-themed presentation creating a positive perception going into the year!

Key takeaways:

• Economic momentum exiting 2025 has been stronger than many expected.

• Markets are entering 2026 from a position of strength, but with less margin for error.

• Forward-looking planning is critical in this environment.

As we know, job growth cooled this past year. After reaching a peak of approximately 6 million jobs in 2022, the U.S. market added roughly 600,000 jobs in 2025, and excluding healthcare, job growth was effectively flat.

Despite this slowdown, human capital remains one of the most critical discussion points for businesses. Organizations continue to focus on having the right infrastructure to sustain growth and fostering the right culture to maintain momentum.

Chesapeake Search Partners continues to align our Chesapeake HR Solutions services to support our clients by intentionally slowing the process where appropriate, allowing us to more deeply understand their needs and deliver more thoughtful, long-term solutions.

Events Worth Attending

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