Leadership isn’t always shaped by traditional paths.

Sometimes, the best lessons come from unexpected places and experiences that push us out of our comfort zones.

In this episode, Vanderbilt MBA ‘25, Brianna Dacey sits down with Bennet Hayes, a Vanderbilt Owen alumnus and Strategy and Operations Lead at Google, to explore his unconventional leadership journey. Starting out as a professional poker player and freelance writer, Bennet eventually transitioned into leadership roles at top firms like BCG and Google.

He shares the valuable lessons he’s learned about managing ambiguity, building trust, and leading teams in complex environments. Bennet also highlights the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and embracing discomfort as a path to growth.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how unconventional experiences can shape effective leadership, and learn practical strategies to apply to your own leadership journey.

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About Bennet Hayes:

Bennet has built a diverse career blending leadership, strategy, and operations across various industries. Currently, as Strategy and Operations Lead for Chrome OS at Google, he drives high-level strategic initiatives bringing his keen ability to operate under ambiguity to the role. Before this, he led projects at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and directed operations strategy at a start-up company called Gopuff. With extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, and data analytics, he’s worked in consulting, and marketing. Before business school, Bennet was a professional poker, where he competed globally and was ranked among the top 50 online players. His career also includes work as a freelance journalist, writing for prominent publications.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennet-hayes-92219158/details/experience/