Robinson Devadasan

Robinson Devadasan - ‘Robin ‘ thats how I call him. The only manager whom I respected and loved most. One of the few who made a difference in defining management and being a manager. I would almost do anything for him – If he says a word. For that matter , anyone would, if one gets to have an acquaintance with him.I don’t remember anyone saying a ‘No’ to him. It was – ‘Impossible’.

Simplicity and Kindness blended with Common sense and Humor is How I will define him. He respected every person no matter what he is – and what he was able to – and what his abilities are – One will never feel superior or inferior if one works with him. His approach to problems will always be focused on the problems, More than that, The way he approaches people will always be – How friends will approach the other.

It was in the year 2005, I first met him, He asked me few questions about the technology that I was to work on.I called him ‘Sir’ at first, He asked me to call him as ‘Robin’ . He had a very unusual way of making relationships stronger. He did not smile often, He did not talk often , He did not even try to make any conversations of any kind whatsoever but He had a very strong influence on people.

The unusualness comes from his ability to stay calm – even at times when he could have been excited as a winning emperor and should have been depressed as a losing lover.Sometimes, at work , If i don’t know how to handle few situations , I think of him and imagine how he would have handled it, and i get a way around.His influence on me will never diminish and I will always be proud to say I was from his School and his student.

I had a bookmark which had a note like this, ” Management is developing people through work and not getting work done by people”.This was by Agha Hasan Abedi. I wonder , If there is any quote which would describe Management better. The one living example i saw for this quote was Robin. He empowered , encouraged people at work and defined What management is.

On one of his farewell day (He was leaving to UK) , I wanted to say thanks and wanted to show how he helped me to look and handle things differently , how much I admire and love him as a person as he is , All I could do was to say,with a trembling voice ,in front of about 150 employees ,” Robin is the most loved and respected manager”. There was a deep silence when i finished, It was like everyone wanted to say the same thing , may be they were saying in their hearts.I felt very happy that i was able to do what I wanted , because this statement was there in my mind for about 2 years and I was never able to say to him or to the world, until that particular moment.

When i started to go back to my place , with a sense of accomplishment, and with a serene heart , someone patted on my shoulder gently , when i turned back , I saw a bright and true smile.It was Robin.