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Leaving a Legacy - RIP Robert L. Elsas

3/11/2019

4 Comments

 
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Thirteen years ago, I interned at the Office of International Trade & Finance at the SBA, for Robert L. Elsas. His influence has markedly changed the whole trajectory of my career.

Bob and I didn't always see eye to eye. I viewed him as kind of grumpy, and he didn't like that for a few hours a week I would somewhat unapologetically take off from my unpaid internship to go to job interviews. 

He appreciated, however, that I would do everything that I said I would. Even though I was just an intern, he let me underwrite loans and go to client meetings by myself (with him reviewing the output, of course). He believed in me, and made sure he communicated it to me. Even when I told him that I didn't believe in me. He called me after my internship was over and told me he couldn't take another intern. He said that I had spoiled him too much with the quality of my work. Whether or not he did eventually take another intern, this vote of confidence definitely helped boost my young self-esteem.

We kept in touch over the years, as I served as an investment analyst for investments all over the world in my early career, and he always encouraged me to start my own business. When I finally started SH International, I worked with very large companies. Bob would ask me to come and provide trainings to entrepreneurs on building global and emerging markets businesses. Eventually, I realized through these trainings how much I loved working with entrepreneurs, and switched my company's focus to serving them. Now, one of my company's most interesting and impactful initiatives is the Multinational Entrepreneur Training.

We last spoke in early 2017, and we had plans, as always, to do great things. I don't think I was alone in this feeling, probably he made every entrepreneur and small business he served feel that they had incredible potential, and that they would do amazing things together. I now have the maturity to realize that feeling extra capable around him didn't make me intrinsically capable - it meant that I was in the presence of a leader who knew how to bring out the best in those around him.

I had trouble following up with him, however, and didn't really understand why. Recently, I had an exchange with someone in his office, and suddenly everything made sense. He passed away in December 2017. When a tree falls in the forest, does it fall if you do not learn about it immediately? In the case of Bob, yes, the tree has fallen and there will never again be another tree quite the same. All the plans we had stopped developing even if I didn't yet know why.

The last thing I would like to share about Bob is how scrupulously ethical he was. He made it clear to me that I was never to accept a gift from his clients, and I personally witnessed that he would not accept one, even something as simple as a sample of merchandise like a bottle of perfume. When he couldn't make my wedding, I had to assure him that the value of the wedding favors I saved for him was far less than his threshold of $20. He would never let his clients or me buy him a meal, for the same reasons. I remember this quality of his as being the very best that the US government had to offer its people, and the one quality that I reflect on the need for reinforcement in this country.

Bob, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to believe in myself the way you did. I will, however, try to believe in others the way you did. And to have your unfailing sense of ethics. I deeply appreciated your leadership, and you will be remembered.

4 Comments
Christine
1/3/2021 11:25:51 pm

Thank you so much for sharing this incredible post and legacy. Robert Elsas was my father and your words moved me deeply. He was the same man at home that he was at work, integral and believed in my 1000%. I am so grateful for the way he invested in your life. What an amazing testimony. Thank you so much for sharing about my father.

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Sara Haq link
1/10/2021 08:19:04 pm

Dear Christine,

I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Having him as your father is a gift that you will never lose, however, as he lives on through your words and actions. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this post.

Sara

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Suzanne Elsas Schmitt
1/4/2021 12:23:39 pm

Thank you so much for the kind words you took to write about my brother Robert L. Elsas. As his younger sister, he was a beacon in my life growing up. Your kind words are being shared throughout our family. I lost my best friend 💔

Reply
Sara Haq link
1/10/2021 08:21:26 pm

Hello Suzanne,

I am so sorry that you lost your brother and best friend - he must have been the best kind of best friend to have! I am sure that he is smiling and helping you from the other side, and I hope that you always cherish your happy memories with him, and the lessons the two of you must have shared.

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.

Sara

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