I had a very “Bob” moment with my boss today. So what is a
Bob moment, and why don’t I have them every time I interact with my boss, bob?
Once upon a time, I had a boss against whom all other bosses are measured. This
particular Bob was one of those people who changes your life forever, if you
are blessed enough to know him. He was mentor, friend, champion, adviser, and
for a period of time, the touchstone of my sanity. He was the person I called during
the dark days at the Cleveland Clinic, when John hovered between life and
death, the one who had the ability to make me belief that whatever the outcome,
it would be alright. (And it was.) But mostly, he was the person who helped me
see that I could do just about anything that I put my mind to, and who encouraged
me to try things I thought beyond my capability. He helped me gain acceptance
and respect from the other librarians, by modeling it himself. In short, he
cast a very long shadow, and is a tough act to follow.
Enter bob2, a nice guy - but a very different boss. Not as easy
to talk to, in part because he can be a little intimidating. And I don’t always
feel like I know where I stand with him. That is a little disconcerting to me.
But today, we had a moment. As I said before, a “Bob” moment. I had been gone
for a few days, so there was a lot to catch up on – where we were heading with
different projects, etc. We talked and I was getting ready to leave, halfway
out the door, really, when he waved someone in, and said “So how are you doing?”
I looked behind me; there was no one in the hall. “Are you talking to me?” I
asked. It turns out he was. (Okay, I was confused. Did we not just spend ½ hour
talking?) Why was he asking me how I was doing? So, I tell him – I couldn’t be
much better. And he says, “You did good.” It turns out that Frank called him last
night after the Provost approved the funding, and said he (Frank) was excited.
Now when your boss’ boss’ boss is excited by something you are primarily
responsible for, it’s a very good thing. And when your boss lets you know that,
and tells you that he realizes that it wasn’t an easy process, but he’s proud
of how it came out – it doesn’t get much better than that. And it qualifies as
a “Bob” moment.
