- Steve Gelder
- Chief Executive Officer
- Gelder Group
We have been working with Human Alchemy for over 7 years now and they have been integral to helping us design and develop our Vision for the company over the last three iterations. Before Human Alchemy I would lay on my sunbed on holiday, write my vision for the next year and then tell everyone what it is in the hope they would get on and deliver it. I now realise that they have to be involved in the creation if I have any chance of them owning it. Most recently, we asked Human Alchemy to work with us again but this time, we invited members of staff to join a vision team to work with human Alchemy to create our vision 2025, this time, without the senior Leadership team.
During the 2 day workshop, Human Alchemy helped the team to brainstorm, create, visualise, dream and develop their thoughts around what Gelders could look like in 2025. When the vision team presented their ideas to my leadership team, we were blown away. Human Alchemy’s careful guidance, extensive knowledge and expertise, alongside their experience meant that they were perfectly positioned to satisfy our Brief. Since the initial 2 day workshop, they have also worked with my Senior Leadership Team to hone and develop the extraordinary ideas that the original team came up with.
We now have a Vision for 2025 which the Senior Leaders are completely behind and the whole Team, throughout the organisation, feel ownership for. They are proud of it and want to help us to implement it.
As a result of this workshop, my team and I are now looking at our site and operation with fresh eyes. The day after the workshop there was a huge buzz in the office – a proper crackle of excitement. I feel this is the best ever Vision – it feels like everyone is fully on board with no politics or detractors whatsoever.
I was stopped by our lorry driver in reception after the workshop who proceeded to count to 12 in Japanese. This is one of Human Alchemy’s activities – just a bit of fun really – but when I replied to him that he was only meant to count to 10, he replied it was his way of showing he was 120% behind Vision 2025! Another one of the team told his manager that other than his daughter being born that it was the best 48hrs of his life!
Personally, I’ve been on a journey with Human Alchemy over many years and they have helped me focus and develop my own leadership to build and grow the business, during some very difficult times for our industry. A major spin off from my personal development and training has been my ability to inspire my customers and suppliers to work with Gelders and trust our "can do" attitude and future focus that means we will be here for the long haul.
If you’re ever looking for a Team of people who are innovative, yet down to earth experienced business people, who can inspire, develop and help you to be the best leader you can be, Human Alchemy are the people to work with.
The transformation the leadership team and organisation go through alone is incredible value for money. However, you get so much more with Human Alchemy than just this – the team receive genuine, honest, practical business examples and leadership skills. There is an emotional attachment between us now, which will live to 2025 and beyond. This relationship goes far deeper that just another training session.