Chris Eggers

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After a year of rapid AI expansion, businesses should shift their focus toward deeper human connection, creative innovation and sustainable growth. This year has been a year defined by rapid AI adoption, and many leaders are now asking themselves what comes next. While automation and intelligence tools will continue to advance, the coming year offers an opportunity to recalibrate priorities and strengthen the more "human" elements of leadership. Whether it’s the rise of authenticity, a renewed focus on culture or a push toward more thoughtful and responsible tech usage, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what leaders must do to achieve sustainable success next year. To that end, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share what they believe 2026 should be about and how they’re preparing their companies, teams and mindsets for the next chapter.

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Behind every “overnight” win are years of persistence, learning and resilience that don’t make the highlight reel. Massive business success is often glamorized or oversimplified, but those who’ve achieved it know it rarely follows a straight path. From the belief that success requires constant hustle to the myth that talent alone determines achievement, misconceptions about what it really takes to succeed abound in every industry. The truth is, sustainable success looks different for everyone — and it’s often built on balance, failure and authenticity. Here, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the most common myths they’ve heard about success and explain why those assumptions don’t hold up in the real world.

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As technology continues to redefine how teams operate, leaders must embrace new mindsets, tools and approaches to keep people engaged and innovation on track. From emotional intelligence in hybrid teams to fluency in emerging tech, leadership today looks very different from what it did just a few years ago. Today's most effective leaders blend human insight with digital agility to guide their teams through the constant shifts in their industry. While the basic "people skills" needed to maintain trust and connection with your team haven't changed, there are some emerging abilities that can help you thrive as a leader in 2026. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the leadership skills they believe will matter most in the year ahead and how these capabilities will shape the next chapter of modern management.

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Whether you're pitching to investors or sharing an idea with your team, these tips can help you persuade your audience and achieve your goals. Persuasion is one of the most valuable skills in business, shaping outcomes in everything from investor pitches to client negotiations. Especially in creative and culture-driven industries, where ideas and storytelling carry extra weight, the ability to influence others often determines whether a vision gains traction or fades away.  Taking the right approach to communication can directly influence how you connect and inspire confidence in your ideas. To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their best strategies for persuading others and why these approaches are so effective.

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The most memorable brands create authentic experiences, emotional connections and meaningful moments for customers. Today's customers are bombarded with ads across multiple digital and physical channels on a daily basis, which means brands need to work harder to stand out. What truly makes a company memorable isn’t just the product or service — it’s how the brand shows up, communicates and connects on a human level. From small signature touches to deeply authentic storytelling, the strategies that resonate most are the ones that make people feel valued and understood. To help you achieve this, Rolling Stone Culture Council members recommend these approaches for creating lasting impressions that keep customers coming back.

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You may have to adapt your current business plan. Much like technology, culture can change at the drop of a hat. People’s tastes, what’s “in” and “the next big thing” are constantly evolving, whether in reaction to current events or the latest innovation in a particular industry. Those entrepreneurs hoping to make it in this space must be able to thrive in a changing environment, adapting their business when it’s needed and sticking to the plan when it’s not.  But this isn’t the only way to get ahead in the culture space. According to the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council, embracing the following habits can give hopeful entrepreneurs a leg up on the competition and ensure they find true success in the culture space and their overall careers.