Why we should all strive to be Alchemist Leaders
Before we delve into the power that alchemist leaders can have on the success of a business, it is important that we first consider the qualities of an alchemist.
For many years our chair Alan has been coaching and nurturing business leaders to help mould them into alchemists, using the eye-opening learnings and knowledge from Rooke and Tolbert, as well as many others, to help do so. Rooke and Tolbert describe Alchemists as,
“concerned with creating deep, foundational change that resonates not only across their individual organisation, but also across the greater context in which they operate. In other words, alchemists want to make a profound and positive impact on whatever they do, and they possess the necessary empathy and moral awareness to get there.”
So with this being said, why do alchemists arguably make the best business leaders?
Focused on employee wellbeing and development
A key quality of an alchemist leader is having the ability to talk, nurture and listen to all members of the business’s hierarchy, or to both ‘kings and commoners’, as put by Rooke and Tolbert. An alchemist leader recognises the importance and necessity of all of his / her employees and the roles each of them play within the overall structure and ultimately success of the business.
Alchemist leaders are naturally concerned with helping their employees reach their highest potential and develop within a business.
They want to make a difference
What sets an alchemist leader apart from other leadership styles is an alchemist’s ability to renew or even reinvent themselves and their organizations in historically significant ways. An alchemist leader won’t settle for anything less than the best and will always look for new ways to make a difference within their business to ensure it far exceeds expectations and continues to grow.
An alchemist leader won’t shy away from adapting themselves to ensure they make a positive difference within their organisation. They will embrace the need to be unconventional and to move with greater agility and speed to adapt with the ever changing business landscape.
They are dedicated to building an enduring business
Alchemist leaders put their heart and soul into building enduring businesses. They understand the importance and value in building an enduring business that will live on for their dedicated employees and leaders who come after.
One key quality that shines through an alchemist leader is his / her ability to deal with immediate priorities yet never lose sight of long-term goals, paramount in building an enduring business.
They are aware of the impact of their decisions
An alchemist leader stands out among the rest due to his / her ability to understand the consequences of their decisions and the impact, whether it be good or bad, their decisions could have on a business.
Perhaps most importantly, they’re able to make empathetic and strategic decisions that capture unique moments in the history of their organisations, creating symbols and metaphors that speak to the hearts and minds of those who matter most.