Atlas Insurance News
Best Bosses
05/15/2008 - Anu Varma
Valuing Participation - See PDF of Magazine Article, Click Here
ROB BROWN, vice president, Atlas Insurance
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As the third generation of the Brown family to lead Atlas Insurance in Sarasota, Rob Brown is hardly an unknown quantity.
But there are many things about his management that others may not know, such as the fact that that his employees enjoy monthly chair massages, bagels or doughnuts every Friday, two casual days a week and recognition for perfect attendance. Or that if you work for Brown, you get a plump package of benefits that includes 15 flex days upon hire,100 percent employer-funded healthcare and annual Employee Appreciation Weekends to Key West, Disney World or spas. Or that Brown passionately encourages philanthropic activities, even during work hours. His employees have built a house for Habitat for Humanity, organized food drives and volunteered at the Pines of Sarasota.
“Not only is [Rob] a pure, caring individual at home and in the community, his behavior with his employees shows his desire for our success and abundance,” says his executive assistant Louise Wallick.
A sincere, attentive listener with a self-deprecating sense of humor, Brown describes his management style as “participatory.” “I’m a believer that you’re only as good as the people around you,” Brown says. “The decision rests with me, but I give a sounding board to others. I’m open to listening to just about everything.”
Being the boss, even of the company your grandfather founded, is not always easy, Brown says. It’s tough to juggle day-to-day operations with long-term planning, and tough to cut off an overload of information or redirect people to the right channels. He makes use of professional training, which has helped him create clear channels of communication and accountability.
But the really exciting thing about being the boss? “When employees have really run with the position, and you can see them eager to take on, learn and apply… that’s what gets me juiced up,” he says.