Remembering Bob Robbins
I have worked out a process with my Virtual Assistant, Crystal Helland, to post fresh content on the Absolute Transitions website each week on Wednesday of the week. Based on how the schedule will work out, this blog will post for the first time on Christmas Day, 2024. As my theme for this month has focused on networking, giving, and receiving, and connecting and serving those you are meant to help, I was not sure what to present for today’s blog. Then it came to me.
The individual’s whose birth we celebrate today, Jesus Christ, was all about servant leadership. He expressed to his disciples that those who wanted to lead as part of his ministry needed to first be willing to serve others. That got me thinking of my work career, bringing me all the way back to my first years when I was a computer programmer for the Prudential Insurance Company of America in Newark, New Jersey.
In the winter of 1978, I was 22 years old. I had completed a Cobol Training class at Prudential’s Roseland, New Jersey office. I was now going to join the unit to which I had been assigned, the Group Insurance’s financial reporting area in Newark, New Jersey. As I arrived at Prudential’s Washington Street Building in Newark, as I entered the building I was greeted by Bob Robbins the security guard. Normally, security guards barely look at your ID badge to ensure you are authorized to enter the building as an employee. Not Bob! Bob, greeted me with a big hello. He introduced himself. He asked me my name. And, he had a terrific upbeat personality that put a smile on your face.
Bob did not just greet me that way. He greeted everyone that way, (or at least everyone who was not a grouch, and would prefer not to have to smile each morning or afternoon coming into the building). As I came to work each day, I could count on Bob to actually “welcome me to work.” He genuinely cared how people were doing. Individuals knew if they had a challenge or problem of some type that needed the help of security, they could count on Bob.
I spent 4 years in the Newark office. During that time, I got to know Bob well. As he confided to me one day, he realized his job was not a glamorous one. It was one that many would look at as one that was menial at best. However, as I got to know him better, I realized that Bob was not only upbeat at the front door of the Washington Street building. He was involved in his community as a leader with younger individuals. Even if a down thing would happen, he would look to find the silver lining or good side in things. Obviously as we are coming up to 47 years since I first met him, he made quite an impression on me, as I still remember his greetings at the door.
While I am not sure what happened to Bob, (I know I was not as conscious of connecting and networking with individuals as I am today), that I remembered him in writing this Christmas piece, I do not think was by accident. As I said earlier, the person whose birthday we celebrate on December 25th was all about servant leadership. He was all about doing what one could to help bring out the best in others. And, while the season that celebrates his birth has without a doubt become commercialized over the years as “The Season of Giving,” that giving can be less about material things and more about interpersonal things such as looking to connect with others and help bring out the best in them.
So, to all readers of Absolute Transitions website, whether the monthly newsletter, the blogs or the Tips and Tools submission, Merry Christmas (whether you celebrate the holiday or not). Again, remember you can help make the day for others, by how you simply greet them as you meet them each day.
