People Will Remember How You Made Them Feel: An Interview with Nick Wheeler

I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nicholas Charles Tyrwhitt Wheeler, or Nick Wheeler as he's commonly known—the entrepreneurial force behind Charles Tyrwhitt shirts. My first encounter with Nick was at an earlier event where he shared an insight into his leadership style. He spoke of how he personally checks the company's feedback system and, upon finding positive remarks where staff are mentioned by name, he makes it a point to visit that store, seek out the mentioned individual, and thank them personally. This, he explained, has a tremendous impact on morale, not just for that person or in the store, but ripples through the company.

Our meeting at the first event didn't allow for a longer discussion, but his thoughts on leadership so resonated with me, I was determined to secure an interview with him for my Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust studies. Given the demands of running a business? with 38 stores and 750 remarkable (his words) individuals, Nick was understandably hard to pin down. However, persistence paid off, and after much coaxing, he agreed to meet me on a certain date between 5 and 5:30 PM.

I arrived at his Notting Hill residence on the dot at five just as he was concluding a prior meeting. He shared that we had a strict half-hour slot before he and his wife, Chrissie Rucker—yes, the founder of The White Company —had to leave for an anniversary celebration at the opera. Yet in the next 43 minutes I realised why the? Charles Tyrwhitt company is so successful!? Nick has that rare ability of a very few people, to make you feel that you are the centre of his attention, irrespective of who you are. As we discussed all things leadership, people and farming, he answered my questions with deep thought and consideration. Not once distracted by phones ringing, email alarms vibrating or even Chrissie clearly ready for their night at the opera.

Nick's approach to leadership is vibrant and refreshing; he believes that the right person to lead a business is one who understands the need to evolve. "The business will stop growing when the owner or founder thinks they always know best," he told me. It's about stepping back when necessary and allowing others to bring their strengths to the table.

In hiring, especially for senior roles, Nick insists on a personal touch. He doesn't just leave it to recruitment agencies but gets involved, ensuring that references are thoroughly checked. He seeks out the good and the bad, aiming for a holistic understanding of potential hires. Emotional intelligence, he believes, often trumps traditional intelligence, and listening to one's gut feeling about a person is crucial.

Work culture, to Nick, is non-negotiable. "It has to be consistent across all parts of the company," he said. It's about humility from the top down and treating everyone with respect—recognising that the intern of today might be the CEO of tomorrow. He's not a fan of rigid hierarchies; they stifle communication and innovation, and he's much more interested in the ideas that come from a more open and flat organisational structure.

In defining company culture, Nick provided a simple yet profound explanation: "Culture is the stories people in the business tell each other about the business." He believes that culture is about involving everyone and encouraging a sense of ownership, with the mindset of doing things just a bit better as if it were their own business.

On the topic of integrity, Nick emphasised its importance in making a positive difference in employees' lives. He advocates for a people-centred approach as opposed to a HR-centred one, empowering managers to tailor training to their teams' needs.

Acknowledging the shifting generational dynamics in the workplace, Nick is open to and encourages the fresh perspectives brought by younger generations. He values experience but champions diversity in experience—including the insights of younger voices, which he believes should be heard even if they're not on the company board.

In summary, Nick's vision on leadership is clear: invest in people, and they will invest back into your business. This reciprocal relationship is what drives company growth and success. My time with Nick may have been brief, but the impression he left was lasting—a testament to the power of respect and recognition - “People remember how you make them feel”.?

?# AgriLeader #People #Culture #Leadership #LeadershipInsights ?#PeopleFirst ?#CompanyCulture ?#EmployeeEngagement ?#BusinessSuccess ?#EmotionalIntelligence #EQ #Teams #WorkplaceCulture ?#Strategy ?#NextGenLeaders ??#EmployeeDevelopment ?#LeadershipTips ?#Company #Shirts #Teams #Work #HR Thanks to NFU (National Farmers' Union) East Sussex my main sponsors AHDB - Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board