In this special Develop This! Crystal Ball Series episode, host Dennis Fraise welcomes speaker and author Will Baggett for a wide-ranging conversation about what the future holds for leadership, communities, and economic development in 2026.

Dennis and Will explore how AI, shifting cultural values, and new economic forces are reshaping communities. They discuss why human connection may become a competitive advantage, how third spaces and phone-free environments are emerging as a correction to digital overload, and why adaptability is the most valuable leadership skill of the next decade.

The conversation also dives into emerging trends such as biohacking and longevity, the changing expectations of the housing market, the economic impact of sports betting and NIL deals, and the growing importance of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) over traditional SEO.

Key Takeaways

• People are craving real human connection more than ever
• Adaptability is the most important leadership skill
• Communities need more gathering spaces that support small businesses
• Outdated assumptions create serious planning risks
• Biohacking and longevity are becoming mainstream
• A healthy lifespan may matter more than retirement age
• Phone-free and unplugged spaces are gaining traction
• Human connection can become a strategic advantage for organizations
• Housing expectations are shifting toward individual needs
• Sports betting and NIL deals are reshaping local economies
• The labor market is experiencing a backlog from multiple forces
• Third spaces are critical for community engagement
• The shift from SEO to GEO is transforming digital strategy
• Knowledge matters more than raw information