Role description

The Chancellor has the ability to promote the good work of the team both within the team itself and to important external stakeholders.

This is essential if the team is to receive additional resources and for increasing the team’s circle of influence. The Chancellor is particularly good at devising strategies for achieving objectives with the least exposure, cost or risk.

Chancellors are often very high achievers and their greatest strength is their ability to understand the motivation of everyone they meet. They are themselves highly motivated and enjoy praise. They are most productive when they are motivated and valued for their contribution. They are capable of achieving more in less time than many others.

A Chancellor is naturally enthusiastic, optimistic and committed. They thrive on new ideas, causes or directions and can achieve virtually anything they set their mind to.

A Chancellor is willing to cooperate as long as they agree with the project or the person at the helm. They naturally have little long-term vision and will adopt the vision of others. They will then motivate others to take up the cause. They are more willing to contribute if they can run the show. If things are not going the way they would like, they either say nothing or ambush the idea. They will happily follow rules and regulations set down by others as long as they believe in them. If not, they will try to adapt or alter the plans.

They have a charismatic leadership style and seek the best in people. They are always sensitive to the needs of their fellow workers and can see their fears, strengths and weaknesses. People are attracted to their energy and passion. New processes are willingly adopted as long as they are in harmony with their beliefs and attitudes, and they cope well with change.

They are intolerant of people who disagree with them but are more tolerant of close friends or loved ones. They resolve conflict by trying to win the argument, either overtly or covertly. They will be aggressive to anyone who is aggressive with them. They take criticism personally and will fight the person, not the issue or activity.

The personalities involved, together with issues of loyalty, beliefs and their relationship to the conflict, stand central to their arguments. They are happy to take responsibility but may worry or rely on intuition to solve problems and sometimes wait until the last minute to complete a task.

A Chancellor doesn’t make snap decisions. They will take the problem home, sleep on it and do what feels right.

Chancellors will be extremely supportive when a new project starts if they believe in the project and the people involved. They will use lateral thoughts and solutions to cope with stress, and will work faster and more efficiently when they are working to deadlines. Often, Chancellors rely on stress for improved productivity and subsequently have periods of high then low performance. Similarly, they will have periods of stability and instability.

A Chancellor’s confidence will always appear high. However, they are sensitive to criticism, although they do not always appear so. They are extremely loyal until double-crossed or betrayed. They are flexible as long as they are not asked to behave in conflict with their beliefs.

A Chancellor will always let their attitudes and beliefs colour decisions. When analysing a situation, a Chancellor will look at the people and their feelings rather than the facts. They will use humour that is often ‘close to the bone’. Sometimes they get themselves into trouble for using intuitive humour. They can also play games at another’s expense. Chancellors are highly competitive and will work hard for approval. They need constant recognition and strive to be the best. They can appear both optimistic and pessimistic. Their enthusiasm is cyclical.

Chancellors are at their best when starting and driving a new project and achieving the impossible – because they believe in it.