Culture is the heartbeat of any thriving organisation. For Neil Sykes, founder of Clan Alchemy, it’s more than a management buzzword – it’s the foundation of innovation, growth, and human connection. Speaking on the Growth for Good podcast with Drew Hendry MP, Neil shared how his consultancy brings people and purpose together to create lasting impact across teams, businesses, and communities.
From Boardroom Experience to Behavioural Insight
With over 28 years of corporate experience, including eight years at board level, Neil understands what drives real business success. His curiosity about people, leadership, and motivation led him to study Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), focusing on how our perceptions shape our actions.
“NLP shows that just because you see things a certain way, it doesn’t mean others do,” he explains. “Leaders who understand this can communicate better and build stronger relationships.” This philosophy lies at the core of his coaching and culture-building work. By helping teams understand how language, belief, and perception influence collaboration, Neil empowers organisations to perform at their best.
Defining Purpose, Vision, and Connection
A key part of Neil’s work involves guiding organisations to define their “brand compass” – purpose, vision, mission, values, and behaviours. He believes clarity around purpose is essential to meaningful leadership.
“It’s crucial to be clear about why you exist beyond making money,” he says. “When your purpose statement inspires curiosity and connection, it fuels motivation and results.”
Purpose-driven companies, he notes, consistently perform better and retain talent more effectively. While building culture requires investment, the long-term return is significant: people who feel valued contribute more fully and stay longer. As Neil puts it, “Building culture may cost upfront, but in the long run, it pays off.”
Changing the View on Change
For Neil, the concept of change is often misunderstood. “People don’t resist change,” he says. “They resist being changed.” His approach centres on involving employees in shaping direction and understanding the ‘why’ behind decisions. This inclusion creates alignment and enthusiasm for progress.
This perspective is particularly relevant in the Highlands and Islands, where recruitment and skills challenges make employee engagement vital. As major projects such as the Green Freeport bring new opportunities, Neil believes the key to sustainable growth is caring for people. Strong teams, he argues, grow from trust, respect, and shared purpose – not from pressure alone.
Calm in Crisis, Balanced in Vision
Neil’s ability to stay calm under pressure comes from experience. “I enjoy the energy of a crisis,” he admits. Years of leading through fast-moving corporate challenges taught him to act quickly and stay composed. Yet he also values collaboration and long-term planning, balancing action with reflection – a blend he believes defines effective leadership.
His mindset draws from personal philosophy as much as professional practice. A favourite quote by actor Sophia Bush captures his approach: “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress simultaneously.” For Neil, growth means embracing where you are while striving to improve. “Everyone is exactly how they should be at any moment,” he says. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t work on yourself. It’s about continual improvement.”
Community, Creativity, and Courage
Beyond business, Neil is an active community leader, serving as trustee and treasurer of Highland Pride. His involvement reflects the same values that shape his consultancy – courage, creativity, and community. “Have the courage to do something creative for the community,” he says, a principle that guides his volunteer work as much as his professional projects.
Through Clan Alchemy, Neil channels these values into practical action. Whether helping a business refine its purpose, align its teams, or navigate transformation, he focuses on creating environments where people can thrive.
Transforming People and Purpose into Progress
As for the future, Neil’s vision remains grounded. “I don’t want to grow for the sake of it,” he says. “I love what I do. If I can help people and organisations turn ideas into something meaningful, that’s success.”
It’s a philosophy that perfectly encapsulates Growth for Good – a reminder that meaningful progress begins with people, purpose, and authenticity. Neil Sykes and Clan Alchemy show that when culture comes first, success naturally follows. Discover more stories at drewhendry.scot.
