Empathy, Accountability & Boldness: Leadership Lessons with Nick Hay on the MorePeople Podcast
Welcome to The MorePeople Podcast, your go-to source for cutting-edge conversations in recruitment, leadership, and career growth. In our latest episode, host Richard Hanwell (Managing Director of MorePeople) sits down with Nick Hay, CEO of Gist, to explore the evolving world of non-executive directors (NEDs), recruitment challenges, and the future of AI in supply chains.
Nick brings decades of industry experience, and his reflections offer valuable lessons for both aspiring leaders and seasoned executives.
The Dual Perspective of a Non-Exec
Nick has sat on both sides of the boardroom table, as an executive and as a non-executive director. That experience, he explains, brings a crucial sense of empathy to the NED role:
“It’s only when you’ve run a business that you truly understand how lonely that can be. Being a NED means supporting execs through that, not just holding them to account, but doing it with empathy.”
Beyond accountability, Nick believes the real value in a NED comes from perspective. Not being enmeshed in the day-to-day allows NEDs to step back, see clearly, and ask the questions that matter most - even the uncomfortable ones.
Bravery Through Balance
One standout point from Nick’s journey was his time managing up to seven non-exec roles simultaneously.
“Seven was too many,” he admits with a laugh.“But having multiple income streams gave me the freedom to be brave, to challenge things without the fear of losing everything.”
That freedom, he explains, is what enables a good NED to deliver true value. Challenging leadership, offering fresh thinking, and asking, “Are you really sure?”
How Many NEDs Is Too Many?
Nick now believes three to four roles is a sweet spot. What’s more important than quantity, however, is diversity of experience:
“I worked with everything from 20-person startups to £3 billion corporations. Surprisingly, the core issues, accountability, governance, leadership, are remarkably consistent across the board.”
The Challenge of Talent in Today’s Market
When asked about talent attraction at large, well-known brands, Nick was frank:
“Right now, everyone is finding it tough. Graduates are more demanding and I admire that. But it puts more pressure on us as employers to prove why we’re worth working for.”
Today’s workforce isn’t just looking for a pay check. They want:
Career progression
Cultural alignment
Work-life balance
Hybrid flexibility
Purpose-driven leadership
And if you're not offering that? They'll go elsewhere.
Culture and Connection in a Hybrid World
Hybrid working may be the norm now, but it’s not without challenges, especially in logistics and food sectors. Nick cautions:
“You can’t learn through osmosis if you're sat alone at home. Culture is hard to build remotely. And let’s not forget the importance of mental health, and just being able to ask someone face to face, ‘Are you really okay?’”
Driving Diversity the Right Way
Diversity is another hot topic. Nick’s take is refreshingly honest:
“I’m not for diversity for diversity’s sake. I believe in hiring the best person for the job but we must ensure that 'merit' is judged fairly. Balanced teams absolutely bring better outcomes.”
Reflecting on his early career, he recalled his first management meeting, a room full of older white men. Times have changed, and for the better.
AI and the Supply Chain: Smarter, Safer, Faster
When asked how AI could impact logistics and supply chains, Nick highlighted three areas:
Automation of routine tasks
Data integrity and insights
Telematics and driver well-being monitoring
Imagine an AI that notices a change in a driver’s behaviour, not just for efficiency, but to identify stress, fatigue, or mental health red flags.
“If AI helps us make better, more human decisions: that’s a win.”
Advice to His 24-Year-Old Self?
“Trust yourself.”
Nick credits his fear of failure for much of his success but believes that had he trusted himself more, he might have taken more risks and even gone further.
Final Thoughts
From boardroom empathy to bold career moves, from diversity to data, Nick Hay’s reflections serve as a masterclass in leadership. Whether you're climbing the ladder or already at the top, his insights remind us of the power of self-awareness, perspective, and asking the hard questions.
