I was really sad today to find out that my very first boss, James Barber sadly passed quite recently at Marymount Hospice.
Many people play a big role in your life, a parent, a sibling, a friend, a teacher, a classmate, a colleague, a child, a life partner but your very first boss is a very special role and in my case, James Barber was the very best boss I could have had.
Why James choose this enthusiast, post leaving cert 17 year old with a big afro, beyond other candidates I’ll never quite know but I’m very grateful that he did and I’m forever in his debt that he treated me so well and gave me a hunger and love for business as well as a lesson in how to treat young people in their first ever roles.
(The pic is of me on my first day in the job, September 1982 – my mother was very proud if me!!)
The brilliant thing about James is that he always treated me with respect. I never felt like a young kid, he brought me to business meetings when we met clients and he made me feel like my opinion and my input was always valuable.
In particular, I remember our long trips in the car to see a client in Tralee and at the end of those days I used come away from them buzzing after learning so much.
He gave all of us in the office great training, he always gave us detailed briefings and clear guidance about each client so that we were always fully informed and therefore confident that we could execute our work well and we did just that. He was the ultimate professional but he also knew how to motivate us.
James was the first person who introduced me to the world of computers – god knows how much it cost but the practice bought a machine and it sat in his office and we were invited to use it and complete tasks for clients. It sounds odd now but it was really progressive and great for all of us.
My proud boast was that we (Barber & O’Leary) were a lot more than auditors and accountants, we were business consultants and for the most part it always felt like we were adding huge value and I credit James for that clever brand positioning, which always helped us to differentiate against competitors.
He was a great accountant, but he was also a great businessmen and I loved every minute of the work on some of the projects that he was involved with.
Towards the end of my days there after I had qualified I was getting itchy feet as I wanted to be even more involved in business and not just working on accounts, so I moved on.
I think James had other plans for me and it was always a regret of mine that I didn’t explore that more but I had made up my mind to move on.
A few years ago, James actually became a client when he came to Fuzion for help with media for a project he was working on and thankfully our input made a difference and we achieved our objective for him – in a very odd way I found it strange to work for him as I still felt he was my boss, still Mr.Barber and not a peer in the business world!
To this day I still talk about those formative years working at 80a South Mall so warmly and I credit James for my grasp of all types of business and the valuable skills he taught this eager young man.
When anyone passes I firmly believe that they live on through everyone they influenced and I know there is a part of him in me.
James…Thank you for being a great boss and for giving me such a great foundation and I hope I can be just as good for all the young people that start their careers with Fuzion.
Sincere condolences to his wife and children, Vivienne, Stephen, David and Amanda.
Rest In Peace..
Greg
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
November 19, 2018 at 4:14 pm |
Well said, Greg, a fitting tribute to an exceptional man. I knew James first as a customer and later as an advisor. I recall stepping off a train with him on the way to a critical meeting in Dublin at a time when I felt very vulnerable in business. I saw a poster for The Samaritans and casually remarked that things weren’t yet that bad. He pulled me up immediately and said ‘Don’t joke about that’. I’ve never forgotten that moment and the many nuggets of common sense he shared with me.
November 19, 2018 at 4:21 pm |
That’s a fantastic insight Gerard, thank you
November 20, 2018 at 10:24 am |
Greg, your wonderful words about James Barber – I didn’t know the man – were very moving. The picture you painted were of a very wise, warm and caring man and I’m sure his family will treasure those sentiments. You are right, and isn’t it so comforting to know that one’s good deeds, wisdom and kindness live on though everyone they influenced. A lovely thought and one I have no doubt his family will note with pride.
November 20, 2018 at 10:50 am |
Thanks Eleanor .. I hope you are well x
December 24, 2018 at 1:38 am |
It’s a lovely tribute, Greg. It made me think of my own first, real boss. He said that one of things customers want is love – to show you care about their situation. It’s always stuck.
James Barber sounds like an ideal boss, especially when you’re learning about the working world.
January 1, 2019 at 3:00 pm |
I was lucky to have such a great first boss – a formative experience,
I hope all is well Fergal.
January 1, 2019 at 11:02 pm
Having someone like that makes a real difference. It shows how crucial a role it is (and what a privilege to hold it).