2 - Building a Culture That Wins with Mike Batiste, CEO, Five Eighty

On this episode of The New York Leader, Mike Batiste, CEO  at Five Eighty shares a candid and insightful look into what it takes to build a high-performing agency—and a resilient leadership mindset—in one of the most demanding markets in the world.Michael’s path to leadership wasn’t linear. From team sports to radio broadcasting to entering the mobile industry before apps even existed, each chapter shaped how he leads today. What emerges is a leadership style rooted in accountability, adaptability, and a willingness to evolve quickly in the face of constant change.In this conversation, Mike breaks down how modern brands cut through the noise in an increasingly crowded marketplace. He explains why the real measure of marketing success isn’t just sales—it’s repeat customers. When the right message reaches the right audience authentically, purchases don’t just happen once—they happen again and again.The discussion dives into what it takes to build strong teams in today’s hybrid and remote work environments. Mike shares how flexibility, transparency, and regular “stay interviews” with employees help maintain a culture where people feel trusted, valued, and motivated to perform at their best.If you want a candid look at how modern leaders build high-performing teams, navigate rapid change, and compete at the highest level—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Listen now to hear Mike Batiste’s insights on leadership, innovation, and building a culture that wins.Chapters:00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader / Meet Michael Batiste00:04:16 Knowing When to Quit a Book (or Anything Not Serving You)00:06:44 What 580 Does / Connecting Marketing, Sales & Commerce00:07:43 Solving for Sales Velocity vs. Incrementality00:09:00 Marketing Attribution Confusion (Taco Bell Case Study)00:10:51 Measuring What Actually Works / Repeat Customers as Key Metric00:14:56 Handling Pressure from Big Brand Clients00:17:05 Why 580 Avoids the “Pitch Team vs Execution Team” Trap00:20:14 Unconventional Career Path / Sports, DJ, and Mobile Industry00:24:07 Leading with Clarity, Adaptability & Accountability00:27:20 Adrenaline, Risk & Leadership Mindset00:30:47 Building Culture in a Remote/Hybrid Company00:32:08 “Stay Interviews” & Why Flexibility Retains Talent00:34:20 Walking Meetings & Productivity in Remote Work00:36:40 The Power of Peer Groups (Vistage Experience)00:39:15 What Companies Get Wrong About AI00:43:09 AI Hackathon Strategy / Turning Ideas into Execution00:46:13 What It Takes to Lead in New York (Speed, Clarity, Resilience)00:47:26 Final Thoughts / If You Can Build in New York, You Can Build AnywhereIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The New York Leader so you never miss a conversation with top founders, CEOs, and innovators shaping New York City and beyond.Connect with George Janson!Website: https://www.honestinsights.com/about-george-janson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gpj816Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.janson.9/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgejanson/🎯 Take Action & Connect with Mike BatisteInspired by Mike’s journey? Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or leader navigating uncertainty, take a moment to reflect on your own standards, culture, and long-term vision.Connect with Mike Batiste:Website: https://agencyfiveeighty.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebatiste/💡 Action Tip: Think about one area in your business or leadership where you can lean into craft, accountability, or long-term thinking this week. Then, share your insights on social using #NYLeaderPodcast to join the conversation.