Team Growth Think Tank with Atul Singh

Creating a Culture of Trust with Atul Singh at The Shelf

  • Introduction to Trust Culture
  • The Shelf and Influencer Marketing
  • The Future of Influencer Marketing
  • People and Trust in Business
  • The Concept of Starting Trust High
  • Managing Trust and Micromanagement
  • Rebuilding Trust After Breakdowns
  • Leadership Principles for Success
  • Steps to Create a Culture of Trust
  • Closing Thoughts on Trust

 

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In this episode, I talk with Atul Singh, CEO of The Shelf, about the transformative power of building a culture of trust within an organization. Ranked No. 1461 on the 2024 Inc 5000 list, The Shelf has become a leader in influencer marketing by fostering a team environment rooted in trust and collaboration. We discuss the essential elements of a culture of trust, including open communication, transparency, and accountability, and how they contribute to long-term success. Atul shares actionable strategies for leaders to cultivate trust across teams and inspire peak performance. Tune in to discover how a culture of trust can accelerate growth and drive innovation in your business.

 

Building Trust: Atul Singh on Cultivating a High-Performance Culture in Digital Marketing

In this episode, I engage with Atul Singh, the CEO of Shelf, a leading online influencer marketing agency, renowned for its innovative approaches within the rapidly evolving digital marketing landscape. Our primary focus is the critical importance of trust within organizational culture and how it directly impacts performance and satisfaction at work. We establish that trust is an unwritten—yet fundamental—rule of behavior that governs interactions not only with clients but internally within teams. This foundation is essential for fostering an environment where creativity and collaboration can flourish.

We delve into the dynamics of establishing and nurturing a culture of trust. Atul provides insight into the pivotal role that hiring plays in this process, emphasizing that bringing on team members who align with the organization’s values is crucial. He shares strategies for assessing trustworthiness during hiring, including reference checks and evaluating candidates’ past job tenures. Additionally, we discuss the cultural principle of “trust but verify,” exploring how it can be effectively implemented without leading to micromanagement. This concept is about balancing initial trust with accountability to uphold the quality of service delivered to clients.

Rebuilding Trust: Atul Singh on Accountability, Vulnerability, and Maintaining a Strong Team Culture

A significant aspect of our conversation revolves around the challenges of rebuilding trust after it has been compromised. Atul outlines a two-tier approach to maintaining trust, encouraging openness about mistakes and fostering an environment where vulnerabilities can be shared. He stresses that accepting accountability for errors establishes a safe space for continuous improvement, which is necessary for personal and organizational growth. However, we confront the difficult reality that not all team members fit well within the cultural framework, and addressing these situations promptly is essential to preserving trust.

Embracing Change: Atul Singh on Social Media Influencers, AI, and the Future of Marketing

We also examine the transition within marketing trends, highlighting the transformative impact of social media influencers on brand visibility and consumer behavior. Atul notes that the rise of platforms such as TikTok signifies a shift in how brands interact with consumers, illustrating a broader shift from traditional marketing channels to more engaging, relationship-based methods. This leads to a discussion on the innovative methods Shelf employs to remain at the forefront of this evolving landscape, such as leveraging AI in influencer marketing strategies.

Leadership for Impact: Atul Singh on Recruiting Top Talent and Building a Culture of Trust

Lastly, Atul shares the leadership principles guiding his company towards sustained success and growth, emphasizing the importance of spotting and recruiting extraordinary talent. He believes that by cultivating an environment where team members identify and leverage ‘10x multipliers’—individuals who can significantly enhance performance—they can drive innovation and achieve remarkable results.

Throughout our dialogue, there is a consistent thread of the necessity for leaders to model the behavior they desire to see in their teams, ensuring that a robust culture of trust is not only established but maintained for long-term organizational health.

About the Host

 

 

Hi, I’m Gene Hammett. I’m an executive coach – I help founders and CEOs create company growth. After studying the leadership of fast-growth companies — the Inc 5000 — I have discovered how their approach to leadership activates new growth. I’m on a mission “To Change the World Through Extraordinary Leadership.” If you know you want to be a better leader, let’s keep going. ’m also a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of the Growth Think Tank, recognized as a top podcast for leaders by Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. I love to write about leadership and culture that activates new growth. My work has appeared in large publications like Inc., Entrepreneur, and Success Magazines. ver 1,000,000+ business leaders, founders, and CEOs have listened to my podcasts, read my articles, or used my growth strategies to shift their mindsets to achieve incredible business results. Take your leadership to the next level and get access to a proven leadership framework to activate new growth for your company.

 

 

 

 

 

How Core Elevation Can Help You Create Leadership At All Levels and Grow Your Company

Core Elevation is designed to empower leaders at all levels, helping companies foster leadership growth and scalability. By focusing on key areas such as accountability, communication, and alignment, Core Elevation develops leadership traits throughout the organization. This approach leads to better decision-making, higher engagement, and stronger team performance. Companies that embrace leadership at all levels can expect increased innovation and faster growth. The program provides tools and strategies to cultivate leaders who drive transformation. Ultimately, Core Elevation helps businesses create a culture of leadership, positioning them for sustainable success.

Interested in a FREE Leadership Communication Skills Workshop with your team? This is about the most difficult of communication, Tough Conversations…

  • Gain confidence in addressing difficult conversations with clarity and composure.
  • Boost team performance by resolving conflicts and fostering open communication.
  • Build trust and alignment by turning tough conversations into growth opportunities.

 

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