The New York Leader

On this episode of The New York Leader with George Janson, you’ll discover what it truly takes to turn a bold creative vision into reality – at scale, under pressure, and in one of the most demanding business environments in the world.George sits down with Jamie Reynolds, Managing Director for North America at UAP, a global force behind some of the most ambitious public art installations you’ve likely seen – whether you realized it or not. From iconic city sculptures to the Oscar statuettes themselves, Jamie operates at the powerful intersection of art, engineering, and leadership.In this conversation, Jamie unpacks the reality of leading creatives—why raw talent alone isn’t enough, and how the best results come from combining imagination with structure, accountability, and honest conversations early in the process. He shares why many leaders fail by either overpromising or under-guiding, and how clarity around constraints can actually unlock better, more successful outcomes.The discussion also explores what it takes to build and lead diverse, high-performing teams. Jamie explains how empathy, culture, and understanding individual motivations are critical in environments where artists, engineers, and operators must collaborate seamlessly. He reveals how great leaders create alignment without stifling creativity — and why decision-making, even imperfect, is better than indecision.If you’re looking to better manage creative teams, execute complex projects, or lead with both vision and realism, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how world-class work actually gets done.Listen now to hear Jamie Reynolds Jamieson’s insights on leadership, creativity, and turning bold ideas into lasting impact.Chapters:00:00:00 Welcome to The New York Leader00:01:25 From Architect to Leader / Choosing Collaboration Over Ego00:04:00 Early Influence: Lessons from a Strong Working Mother00:05:11 What UAP Really Does / Behind Large-Scale Public Art00:13:26 How Long Projects Take / From Sketch to Reality00:15:26 Making the Oscar Statuette / UAP’s Foundry Story00:16:54 Leading Creatives vs Corporate / Creativity Exists Everywhere00:19:12 Balancing Vision vs Budget / Importance of Honest Constraints00:21:00 Measuring Performance in Creative Environments (KPIs Explained)00:25:00 Leadership Evolution / Letting Go & Empowering Others00:30:2 Leadership Mistakes & Building Trust Through Transparency00:32:23 Leading a Global Team / Cultural Differences (US vs Australia)00:36:10 What It Takes to Lead in New York / Empathy & Diversity00:37:15 Final Thoughts & Where to Connect with UAPIf 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 Jamie ReynoldsInspired by Jamie’s journey? Take a moment to reflect on how you balance vision, accountability, and culture as a leader.Connect with Jamie Reynolds:Website: www.uapcompany.com/about/people-and-cultureLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-r-82503427/💡 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.

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.

On this episode of The New York Leader, Michael Andrews, founder and CEO of Michael Andrews Bespoke, shares a candid story of risk, reinvention, and building something enduring in one of the most competitive cities in the world.Before launching his company, Michael followed a path that looked secure on paper—engineering degree, consulting, a JD/MBA, and a career in corporate law. But security wasn’t the same as purpose. What followed was not an overnight success story, but years of late nights, financial strain, and hard lessons. In the early days, he worked full-time while funding a business that was losing money on every sale. Instead of walking away, he leaned into the steep learning curve, refined his systems, and built a company rooted in craftsmanship, accountability, and long-term relationships.Today, after more than two decades in business, Michael offers a deeply practical perspective on leadership shaped by pressure. He speaks openly about hiring for hospitality over credentials, leading through an 80% revenue drop during COVID, navigating tariffs that threatened his supply chain, and investing in technology and AI to protect precision at scale. This conversation isn’t about suits. It’s about standards. It’s about leading with conviction in New York City, protecting your culture when it’s tested, and building a business designed to last—not just survive. For founders, CEOs, and leaders navigating uncertainty, this episode offers grounded insight and hard-earned wisdom that lingers long after the conversation ends.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Leadership Conversations00:59 Michael Andrews: A Non-Linear Journey to Entrepreneurship03:05 The Challenges of Leading a Custom Menswear Business05:55 Recruiting from Hospitality: A Unique Strategy08:56 Building a Lasting Company Culture11:01 Navigating the Impact of COVID-1912:51 Understanding Custom: Beyond Just Suits13:54 Evolving Product Offerings in a Changing Market15:54 Dressing Celebrities: A Peek Behind the Curtain17:55 The Influence of Iconic Designers20:10 Leveraging Technology in a Traditional Craft22:07 The Future of AI in Custom Tailoring22:50 Adapting to Tariffs and Manufacturing Challenges25:09 Innovative Approaches to Wedding Attire27:03 Protecting Core Values Amidst Growth28:59 Creating an Exceptional In-Store Experience32:07 Expanding Women's Offerings in Custom Tailoring34:01 Leading in the Unique Landscape of New York CityIf 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 Michael AndrewsInspired by Michael’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 Michael Andrews:Website: https://www.michaelandrews.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelandrewsbespoke/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelandrews3/💡 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.

Welcome to The New York Leader! This is your first stop for bold, authentic conversations with leaders shaping New York City and beyond.George Janson shares what the podcast is all about, why leadership matters, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes.