This is Part 2 of a 5-part series on my biggest business predictions for 2026.

In this episode, I’m sharing what may be my most controversial prediction of the series:

👉 In 2026, documentation may outperform degrees.

I believe relatability, transparency, and real-time experimentation are becoming more powerful trust signals than credentials, certifications, or distinctions especially in online business, marketing, and creator-led education.

This doesn’t mean degrees don’t matter.

It means how you position your authority matters more than ever.

In this episode, I break down:

1. Why audiences are less impressed by degrees and resumes
2. How “recent, relevant, and real” is replacing polished expertise
3. Why documenting your process builds faster trust than claiming authority
4. The difference between expertise and positioning (and why people confuse the two)
5. How creators are growing audiences by learning publicly
6. Why relying on past credentials can actually hurt your message in 2026
7. When degrees still matter and when they absolutely don’t

If your marketing leans heavily on credentials, titles, or past achievements, this episode may feel uncomfortable. That’s intentional.

Because positioning in 2026 won’t be about who knows the most.

It will be about who people trust to walk with them.

This is Part 2 of 5.

In the next episode, I break down what I believe is the winning positioning combo for 2026 and how to stop making your messaging harder than it needs to be.

👉 DM me on Instagram @systemssavedme and tell me:

Do you agree… or does this feel like a stretch?