What the Report Really Reveals About Communication Teams in 2026
The biggest finding isn’t urgency or value — it’s the confidence gap.
A lot of you saw these numbers early in the report:
Urgency: 7.4/10
Value: 8.1/10
Confidence: 4.2/10
What matters even more than lagging confidence overall is the spread within teams. We’re talking about differences of 4 to 9 points on a scale of just 10 between colleagues who work side by side.
They’re teammates with the same access to tools, webinars, and leadership, but on totally different ends of this spectrum.
This internal gap is a big operational risk for teams.
It’s why most teams are inconsistent. The decisions and outputs vary significantly. And it’s part of the reason AI adoption feels so chaotic.
Confidence has become a stability metric.
Fear is shifting, and leaders need to pay attention.
Public discussions focused on avoiding errors and reputational harm, but anonymous data shows a quieter trend.
Slow adopters are concerned about job security.
None of these reported fears are irrational. Most trace back to the same root problem. Teams just don’t have the clarity, guardrails, or shared playbook they need to use AI confidently.
Don’t increase tool fatigue. Teams just want structure.
Across workshops, surveys, and assessments, communicators consistently asked for:
clearer boundaries
role-specific use cases
quality standards
alignment on how AI fits into communication work
Most organizations assume they don’t have the right toolset, or it’s an access or policy problem. People are tired of thinking they’re behind because a new model just dropped.
While policy and governance are a must, it’s only the foundation. Without structured, ongoing enablement, you end up with an operating problem.
AI models are improving faster than teams are adapting.
One of the most revealing data points came from a controlled experiment comparing AI outputs from 2024 and 2025.
The jump in structure, originality, tone, and relevance was dramatic.
Combined with the other data, this means:
Leaders are underestimating the pace of change
Teams are aiming at a moving target
Expectations will continue to rise, fast
The report includes a full breakdown of what changed and why it matters.
So, what now?
Hopefully, this report gives you a chance to reset or reframe without sounding the alarm. There’s already enough pressure on Comms folks.
That’s why it introduces the Communication Intelligence Framework™, a system to help teams build capability and confidence without adding more tools to the mix. Over time, the process creates breathing room, relieving the pressure. Eventually, you’ll realize you’re more proactive than reactive.
Leaders need a way to stabilize decision-making and reduce uncertainty. This framework is one way to begin doing that.
If you haven’t read the full report yet, you can download it here:
https://www.bobreuklander.com/the-state-of-communications-readiness-in-2026
If you’ve already read it, I’d love to know:
What findings hit you the hardest?
What questions did it raise for your team or organization?