Bob the Guard

I saw “Bob the Guard” this morning outside of the coffee shop. He was the same as always…bouncing on the balls of his feet and deep drawing on a cigarette. He didn’t recognize me but I smiled when I walked past him.

Bob was a security guard at one of the plants where I worked and did a reasonably good job. His main job was to glance at our badges when we got to work and sign in the suppliers who came to visit us. Oh yes, suppliers had to come in the “back door” as the main lobby was reserved for customers. That still hurts (10 years later) and is a subject for another time.

Bob would call us to let us know our suppliers had arrived. He’d always say: “This is Bob in Security and Joe from XYZ company is here to see you.” Over time, and for whatever reason, Bob became known as “Bob the Guard”; as in “I’ll leave the prints with Bob the Guard” or “when you get in tell Bob the Guard to page me.”

Bob had the capability from his post to page throughout the building…asking whoever to call Security at some extension. One day he actually paged someone to call “Bob the Guard” and a legend was born.

Now I’m sure this makes me smile more than it does you. But think for a second. Between all of those design meetings, expedites, travel delays, staff meetings, supplier audits, and contract negotiations, isn’t it things like Bob the Guard in our own company that makes us chuckle? Even 10 years after.