Neil Chahal

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Beyond The Blend

Plan Grow Do

26 episodes

6 days ago

Beyond the Blend is a conversational podcast series, designed to explore the personal and professional journeys of individuals in the lubricant sector. Your hosts Steve Knapp and Rob Taylor aim to inspire listeners by sharing stories about careers, challenges, successes, and learning moments. The focus is on humanising the industry, showcasing its diversity, and highlighting personal experiences to attract and inspire talent. Guests discuss pivotal moments, including their greatest challenges or adversities and the lessons learned, to demonstrate the rich opportunities within the sector.

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Neil Chahal

Beyond The Blend

49 minutes 13 seconds

6 months ago

Neil Chahal

In this energising episode of Beyond the Blend, we meet Neil Chahal, Commercial Director at EL Oils, whose journey from warehouse apprentice to senior leadership is a masterclass in curiosity, humility, and hands-on growth. With trademark wit and unfiltered honesty, Neil walks us through how early lessons, good (and bad) managers, and a focus on people-first leadership have shaped his evolving vision for the lubricant industry.

Key Takeaways:

• A Full-Circle Journey: Neil began at EL Oils as a “tea boy” and warehouse assistant before leaving to climb the sales ladder. A decade later, he returned, this time to lead the very business that launched him.

• Leadership with Empathy & Edge: Drawing from experience across roles and companies, Neil leads with openness, patience, and accountability, balancing structure and humour while pushing for high standards and support.

• Millennial Perspective: As a self-proclaimed bridge between generations, Neil speaks to the realities of leading in a traditional industry as a digital-savvy, 31-year-old leader. He unpacks how to modernise workflows, uplift teams, and still learn from both older and younger colleagues.

• Structure & Simplicity: From stock codes to shared drives, Neil’s passion for clear systems and processes reflects his belief that small details create big wins, and a scalable, repeatable business.

• People Over Pedigree: Neil challenges outdated ideas around degrees and qualifications, arguing that attitude, curiosity, and culture fit matter more than academic background when building great teams.

• The Power of Reflection: Self-driven and brutally honest with himself, Neil shares how regular reflection fuels his growth, and why leaders should make space for self-assessment, not just KPIs.

Why Listen?

If you're a young leader navigating legacy industry, or a seasoned pro curious about what motivates the next generation, this conversation is packed with insight, humility, and practical ideas. Neil proves that good leadership isn't about titles, it’s about action, empathy, and adaptability.

Where to Connect:

• LinkedIn: Neil Chahal

• Company: EL Oils Ltd