Stephanie Dillon

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There is a moment before systems break when nothing dramatic appears to be happening. No alarms. No official crisis. Just a subtle shift in tone.

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Today’s leaders are expected to be real and relatable while still projecting confidence, credibility and steadiness in public. Here's how to strike that balance. Modern audiences, especially younger generations, are drawn to leaders who show self-awareness, acknowledge uncertainty and speak candidly about challenges. At the same time, leaders are still expected to inspire trust, make decisive calls and represent their organizations with confidence. Balancing confidence and vulnerability in your internal and external communications isn’t always straightforward, though. Sharing too much can weaken your perceived authority, while sharing too little can feel disconnected or inauthentic. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share how they navigate transparency with intention while still earning credibility.

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We speak about it in the language of ascent, when in fact power isn’t a destination.

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In a marketplace flooded with performative “purpose,” the real differentiator is a company’s ability to live its values consistently, not just talk about them. Many companies proudly share their "core values," but living those values isn't about polished slogans or flashy marketing campaigns. It requires turning your brand's ideals into concrete policies and decisions that actually reflect what you say you stand for. Repeated behaviors rooted in your values can shape culture, guide leadership and build trust both internally and externally. Below, members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how they transform values into meaningful, measurable action and ensure that purpose becomes a practice rather than a buzzword.

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As creative businesses evolve, they must find ways to expand their impact without diluting the identity, values and cultural relevance that made people care in the first place. In culture-driven industries, authenticity isn’t just admired but expected by consumers. Artists, founders and brands often worry that scaling through investor capital, expanded product lines or new markets might compromise the very "edge" that built their audience. However, sustainable success depends on finding ways to evolve without abandoning the ethos that makes your work distinctive. From codifying your core values to hiring the right people, here's how Rolling Stone Culture Council members advise navigating expansion without losing your authenticity or cultural edge.

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Here's how top culture leaders model the values they want to see — and how you can create the same impact for your team. When you’re a leader, empowering your team often begins with empowering yourself. The way you show up — whether by owning mistakes, celebrating small wins or staying steady in tough moments — sends a signal about what’s expected and valued.  When you model the qualities you want to see, you create space for your team to do the same, building trust and momentum in the process. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share how they lead by example to foster empowerment across their organizations.

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Behind nearly every successful entrepreneur is a web of mentors, peers and trusted advisors who provided guidance when it mattered most. Whether it’s by helping you sharpen your skills, offering honest feedback or giving you the courage to take a leap, the right support network can accelerate both personal and professional growth. But mentorship isn’t one-size-fits-all — it can come from seasoned leaders, peers in other industries or even younger professionals who bring fresh perspectives. What matters most is cultivating relationships built on trust, honesty and shared values. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members reflect on how mentorship and community influenced their paths and share advice on finding the right support for yours.

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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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As a business leader, walking away from certain situations enables me to realign my professional approach.

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Every leader has room to grow — and the best ones never stop learning. To successfully lead a business in the modern world, entrepreneurs have to be intentional about how they grow — both personally and professionally. That growth often comes down to refining the skills that influence how you communicate, make decisions and guide your team through uncertainty. To help you find out which skills are worth the effort, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what they’re currently working on and why it matters. From emotional intelligence to technical fluency, their answers offer a valuable look at the behind-the-scenes work that shapes effective leadership.

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Certainty is seductive. It makes us feel safe, smart and in control. But control is a myth, and safety isn’t the same as progress.

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I don’t want to deal with disappointment by feeding damaging emotions. I want to deal with disappointment by healing — and moving on and up.

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Culture doesn’t shift through good intentions alone. These leaders share what real inclusivity looks like behind the scenes. While inclusion is important in any business, it’s especially vital in the culture space, where the work plays a role in shaping trends, sparking conversations and generating overall visibility. When inclusivity is treated as an afterthought, companies not only jeopardize their brand’s place in culture, but they also risk falling out of step with the people they rely on the most: their employees and customers. Employees feel disconnected when their voices aren't reflected in decisions, while audiences tune out if a brand's messaging misses the mark. The most effective companies make inclusion a daily practice by asking the right questions, bringing more voices to the table and backing it up with action. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share how (and why) to embed inclusivity into the fabric of your business.

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We dressed ‘smart’ in buzzwords and bravado, gave it a corner office and called it leadership.

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We need the mad ones again. The ones who don’t know how to “stay in their lane” because they paved their own road.

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In the culture space, a growth mindset means seeing challenges as fuel for creativity, not roadblocks to it. In culture-driven industries, staying creative and relevant requires a willingness to learn and adapt. Whether you’re leading a team, launching ideas or shaping creative work, a growth mindset gives you the flexibility to adapt, take risks and keep pushing forward. Building that mindset means leaning into curiosity, learning from failure and making room for experimentation — even when it’s uncomfortable. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council explain why a growth mindset matters and how you can start cultivating one, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

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Most of us are simply responding to the strongest gravitational pull in the room. And what, exactly, is that gravity? Most of the time, it’s convenience.

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In business, theft doesn’t wear a mask. It wears a name tag.

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Sometimes, as a business leader, it can be more optimal to say nothing. Why? In certain situations, saying something comes with risks.

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The more we learn about history, the more we’re equipped to learn from it.

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Carrying certain burdens for life isn’t about glorifying pain; it’s about recognizing its place in our story.

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If we view the past with rose-tinted glasses and treat the present and future with pessimism, we risk missing valuable opportunities.

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While it’s essential to accept the end of a professional relationship and grieve, it’s also as important to focus on your happiness.

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When we act ethically, we can contribute good to the world. Asking ourselves these 10 questions can be a starting point.

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The combination of doubt and mystery can facilitate curiosity, open-mindedness and, ultimately, more effective leadership.

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Hard skills are important, of course. But in our pursuit of acquiring and refining them, we shouldn’t lose sight of soft skills, which I like to call “human skills.”

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There are distinct differences between artful thinking and magical thinking that business leaders should keep in mind.

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Influencer marketing is one of the leading advertising strategies today. But often, I find myself thinking: Does everything need to be so transactional?

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A balance between taking control and relinquishing control is key.

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The first step business leaders can take to navigate the unfortunate reality of lying in business? Acknowledging that dishonesty exists.

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You never know what someone is good at or wants to be good at besides their core job functions.

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When you have a big ego, you’re missing the chance to be honest with yourself.

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As employers, we need to think critically about boundaries between the personal and professional, not just for ourselves but for our employees, too.

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You don’t need to highlight your brand with physical items. By moving away from swag, we can build stronger relationships with the people we want to reach.

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Our jobs should be to hire the right people, cultivate environments where they can thrive based on their unique needs and keep them accountable.

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Moving forward, I urge us to embrace the fact that people are nuanced — and to not be so quick to terminate our professional and personal relationships.

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If we rush to judge and shame someone each time we see hypocrisy, we risk hindering progress in solving some of our biggest problems.

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The journey of entrepreneurship is not a solitary one, but a collaborative effort fueled by the support and guidance of those who believe in your vision.

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Learning should never be viewed as an option but as an ongoing necessity.

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A philosophy graduate can help you unleash your true potential as a business leader — and help you take your business to new heights.

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As business leaders, we must encourage critical thinking and create work environments that are conducive to it.

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With the seemingly endless array of bad news, it’s natural to want to look away.

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Business leaders need to be able to take the positive and negative from success stories to define their own leadership.

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By acknowledging and responsibly managing their privilege, leaders can inspire their employees and influence the world around them.

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By incorporating more sustainable fashion practices into your life, you can influence your team members to do the same.

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Taking seemingly “smaller-scale” actions can positively impact the world.

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Leadership can be stressful, but these simple practices can help business leaders better manage their mental health.  Leading a company can be an exhilarating and fulfilling experience, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges and pressures. When you’re a business leader, maintaining good mental health is crucial for both personal well-being and effective decision-making.  To that end, 17 Rolling Stone Culture Council members explore some proven strategies business leaders can employ to manage their mental health amid the challenging demands of their roles. From regular exercise to setting boundaries to seeking support and fostering a positive work culture, these strategies can encourage a healthier and more resilient approach to leadership.

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What we say “yes” and “no” to can alter the course of our professional and personal lives.

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With the state of the world in constant flux and unpredictable events occurring on a regular basis, it's not uncommon to feel a sense of anxiety and depression creeping in.

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Charities and nonprofits have done a lot of good in the world. But sometimes, the story is more complicated.

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Being confident in who you are can go a long way toward ensuring your success. While the number of female CEOs in the U.S.—around one third of all chief executive officers—still pales in comparison to the number of male CEOs, entrepreneurship provides a great opportunity for women to get their start at the top. However, leading a business still presents challenges, especially in male-dominated industries.  To help shed some light on these obstacles—and how to overcome them—12 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council  each share one piece of advice they'd give fellow female entrepreneurs or aspiring business owners for how to be successful in business and why.

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Despite rising prices across all industries, consumers will still spend money on the brands they love if they have a good reason. In times of economic uncertainty, consumers are more cautious with their spending and may be less likely to make impulsive or nonessential purchases. This can be particularly challenging for businesses that rely on these types of consumer purchases to drive sales. However, there are strategies that companies can employ to encourage customers to continue buying from their brands, even when money is tight. By building trust, offering value and providing exceptional customer service, companies can create a loyal customer base that will stick with them through both good times and bad. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members explain how to do this for your own business.

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Cool has a part in changing the world and making it a better place for all of us. 

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Silos can often hamper collaboration, but with the right strategies, you can start working together more effectively. In today's fast-paced and competitive work environment, collaboration has become an essential skill for teams to succeed. While individual focus time is crucial, many projects require a diverse range of perspectives and skill sets to come to fruition. However, breaking down the silos that exist between team members and departments and often hinder this success can be challenging. Leaders must create an environment that fosters collaboration by encouraging open communication, promoting cross-functional teams and implementing collaborative tools and practices. To help you do this, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members explain how leaders and their teams can break down silos and become better collaborators.

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Having business (and personal) relationships with sycophants can be dangerous and could seriously harm your business.

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Here are three approaches that I’ll use—and I hope other business leaders consider using them as well.

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Before getting carried away with an exciting new idea, it's important to confirm it makes business sense to pursue it. The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to take big risks and implement fresh ideas in your business. But the excitement of a new idea shouldn't distract from the need to confirm whether or not the idea is a viable one. Research must be conducted to determine whether the product will perform as well as anticipated in a given market and that consumers actually want or need what you’re offering them. To help get you started, 10 Rolling Stone Culture Council members share some important steps to help you and your team take an idea beyond the initial "excitement" phase.

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As with any other relationship, trust between business partners is paramount for mutual success. When it comes to business partnerships, the right one can often lead to a whole host of new opportunities, such as attracting new customers, diversifying your revenue streams or helping your teams innovate through challenges. When working with someone new, however, there must be a level of trust involved so that each partner feels as though they have skin in the game. Establishing trust takes time, but there are steps leaders can take to help foster that trust from the very beginning. To help, a group of Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their best advice below.

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Setting relevant and meaningful goals for your company will motivate employees and help boost business overall. The first few weeks of the new year is the perfect opportunity for businesses to reflect on the previous year and set new goals accordingly. By looking at what worked and what didn't, you can understand what changes to make to reach meaningful, realistic and relevant objectives by the end of 2023. Moreover, having goals can help you rally your team for a common cause and inspire greater collaboration and productivity. To that end, 14 Rolling Stone Culture Council members each share one goal companies should set for themselves this year, and why they believe this goal is so worthwhile. If you're looking for inspiration on where to focus your efforts, consider starting here.

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Providing financial support to our peers in the art world is one of the most effective ways we can support the causes they are advocating for.

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Diversity is morally important. It’s also essential if you want your business to thrive.

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When I say that business leaders should amplify the voices of others, I don’t mean that they should speak for others or assume they know better than them. I’m saying they should support them.

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A positive work environment, including one that embraces a growth mindset, starts at the top. In the business world, a "growth mindset" is often prized for its ability to motivate employees and drive them toward success. Leaders and employees who pursue growth and improvement every day tend to give their all so that they can evolve as professionals and as people in general.   As prominent leaders in their respective fields, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council understand how important it is to encourage and inspire employees to grow. Doing so shows them you are dedicated to elevating their careers and helping them improve professionally. Here, 11 members share some of the ways in which any business leader can inspire their employees to develop and maintain a growth mindset — and how doing so can help improve your business in the long run.

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Everyone needs strong critical thinking and emotional intelligence skills now more than ever — especially leaders.

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It’s not just a matter of if you should or shouldn’t react — it’s how. When controversial events occur in society, some customers want brands to speak out and others want brands to "stay in their place." When you’re a business leader, this can put you in a difficult position, as you may want to voice your opinion, as well as your company’s, but you also don’t want to alienate or lose customers as a result. As business leaders themselves, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have their own thoughts on the matter. Below, 12 of them each share their tips for how businesses should respond to controversial current events and why they take this stance.

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What if, instead of getting stuck focusing on the catastrophes of life, we decided to simply focus on what’s next?

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Slow growth may seem counterintuitive, but it could actually lead you to greater success. When you first get into business, you may think you need to build your business and turn a profit as fast as you can, but according to the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council, there’s certainly an argument — or at least 12 — to be made for slow growth. While growing quickly may seem like the fastest way to reach success, slowing down and taking your time may actually be the key to long-term sustainability. Below, each member explains one reason why you should opt for growing slowly when building your business and why they believe that’s the best path for success.

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A new perspective could make a big impact on customer satisfaction. When interacting with customers or clients, there may be times when business leaders wish they could switch places with their customers, if only so the customers could view situations from their perspective. With their roles reversed, customers may develop a better understanding of why something went wrong or why certain things are the way they are, hopefully leading to greater customer satisfaction in the end. But while entrepreneurs and customers can’t really switch places, they can share their points of view. Below, nine business leaders from Rolling Stone Culture Council each shared one fact they wish all customers knew about running a business and the impact they think that knowledge would have.

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Every business leader that says and does something in response to an atrocity encourages another business leader to do the same.

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I challenge myself and other business leaders to think about how we use our professional platforms.

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As business leaders, we should all make amends and strive to do better as we move forward.

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The start of the new year is packed with new goals for business leaders.

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Showing gratitude is connected to giving back. 

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If you take the right approach, doing business with your friends can have great outcomes for both parties.

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Before our ideas change the world, they have to change us on a personal level.

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Strive to help for the sake of helping others, not for the sake of helping yourself.

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The NFT art world stands out for reasons beyond money. 

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Start taking the steps toward positive change.

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The culture space is nuanced and unique and entering it doesn't always turn out exactly how you think. It’s easy to come into any business with preconceived ideas about that particular industry; however, many industries in the culture space are complex and ever-changing. Once you start to build a company, you’ll likely learn there’s much more to each industry than meets the eye.  Realizing you had misconceptions about your industry may lead you to rethink certain strategies and decisions about your business. Fortunately, it's rarely too late to change course based on the knowledge you learn from experience. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared some myths and misconceptions they had about their specific industries when they started out, and how those assumptions were later proven false.

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Stories, Reels and TikToks can be great ways to connect with your audience and highlight your brand. In today’s highly digital world, individuals are constantly bombarded with distractions like texts, social media notifications and more. As a result, when consuming content online, most people prefer short-form videos on platforms like Instagram and TikTok that deliver quick, visually engaging messaging. If you've never explored short video content as a marketing strategy, there are a few important things to remember when developing your posts. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared tips for leaders looking to use short videos to make their businesses stand out. Here’s why these tactics are so useful and how you can leverage them for your brand.

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To build a positive business network, you need to quickly identify the right people to connect with. It's often said that you are the sum total of the people around you. Your network matters, so when you're trying to build up your entrepreneurial connections, you’ll want to choose individuals who align with your business values and morals.  However, this can be easier said than done. That's why a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared specific qualities you should look for in a person that will help you determine if they're the "right" person to connect with. Here are 13 characteristics they recommend and why each is so important.

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Leaders in the culture space have a unique opportunity to shine a light on the underrepresented groups they serve. The benefits of a diverse and inclusive brand are many, for consumers and companies alike. However, this representation doesn’t happen accidentally. Rather, organizations must take specific action to help lift up underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color and people with disabilities. Businesses in the culture space are uniquely positioned to use their influence to amplify the voices of those underrepresented groups. Below, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share 10 specific ways culture leaders can promote inclusivity and diversity in their branding.

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Your team may be stressed, but empowering them to experiment can keep them moving forward. Working through the pandemic has caused many professionals a lot of anxiety. Even though this free time affords people more opportunity to achieve their goals, they aren’t often seizing it because they're stressed about their health, their families and their jobs. As a leader, it's important to empower your team to use this time to continue growing, learning and evolving, even if they're preoccupied with just "staying afloat" right now. Below, 15 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council explained how to encourage your team members to experiment and innovate during difficult times. Follow their recommended steps to keep everyone's morale high and creative juices flowing.

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Launching your own business is a great way to influence serious change. With the economic turnover in 2020, many people who lost their jobs are now considering turning to entrepreneurship to get back on their feet. Starting a business is an exciting and empowering way to earn a living, and many who go down this path are drawn in by the promise of freedom and flexibility. However, entrepreneurship takes a lot of hard work, too, so it’s important to stay motivated and choose a field you know you’ll be passionate about for years to come. To help aspiring entrepreneurs stay focused and thrive, nine members of Rolling Stone Culture Council listed their reasons to start a business in the culture space this year and why.