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Don’t force your views onto others. — Building a platform like ours involves constant decision-making and strategic planning. I ensure everyone on our team feels heard and valued by creating a culture that encourages open discussion and respects differing opinions. There was a time when we faced a major strategic crossroads, and instead of imposing a decision, we facilitated a forum for open debate. This resulted in a more inclusive decision that had the whole team’s support.
Aspart of our series about ‘5 Steps We Must Take To Truly Create An Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Society’ I had the pleasure to interview Robert Burke.
Robert Burke is the Founder & CEO of Sobo, an AI-powered fractional consultant platform built for small to mid-sized companies. Robert has over fifteen years of experience building and leading an IT and management consulting firm, having founded the precursor to Sobo in 2008. A Florida native, he currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two children.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to ‘get to know you’. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
Iwas born to an entrepreneuring father and a stay at home mother. I was raised by my father to work hard and expect nothing more out of an opportunity than what I put into it. My father ran a janitorial supply company and carpet cleaning business. I recall working alongside my father on weekends beginning around the age of five. My formative years were negatively impacted by my parents divorce at the age of 12. Nevertheless, for as long as I can remember I had a dream to start my own business and not let traumatic experiences permanently define my future.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
While I can’t pinpoint being significantly influenced by a specific book, I’ve found that my ideas and perspectives have been shaped by a diverse range of sources. I believe in a multifaceted approach to learning, with experiences and interactions forming the cornerstone of my knowledge. Each person I meet, each situation I encounter and each challenge I face serves as a ‘chapter’ in my life, contributing to my personal and professional growth.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength,” by Marcus Aurelius. Starting any new business venture carries with it a high chance of failure, and I eventually learned to ignore all thoughts — both negative and positive ones. For both have the possibility to deceive and control you. By observing thoughts in this way, you can see them for what they really are, which are nonexistent and meaningless. This frees your mind up to focus on what you can control, along with the strength and motivation to do it.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
There is an ancient Hebrew proverb that goes “without a vision the people will perish.” Leadership is the ability to inspire and influence a group of individuals towards a shared outcome. A good leader not only communicates a clear vision but also builds an environment of trust and respect. For instance, consider my role as the CEO of a technology company. Effective leadership in my context would involve setting a clear vision for the product, delegating tasks efficiently, resolving any conflicts among the team members, providing constructive feedback, and keeping everyone motivated even in the face of challenges and missteps.
Can you tell our readers a bit about your experience working with initiatives to promote Diversity and Inclusion? Can you share a story with us?
My company has always hired on experience and values. Nothing else matters. When you hire for talent and skill, diversity happens naturally. For anyone that is hiring based on bias and not based on character their strategy will ultimately fail.
This may be obvious to you, but it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you articulate to our readers a few reasons why it is so important for a business or organization to have a diverse executive team?
We have a diverse executive team at Sobo and it helps us because we all have different strengths and perspectives. We have learned how to work together and utilize one another’s strengths even when we disagree at times. At the end of the day it all boils down to respect. Everyone has a different perspective and comes from a different background but if we can respect each other and hold one another accountable all will be well.
Ok. Here is the main question of our discussion. You are an influential business leader. Can you please share your “5 Steps We Must Take To Truly Create An Inclusive, Representative, and Equitable Society”?
1. Evaluate people based on their character.
In my journey of building Sobo, it was important to me to select team members based on their character rather than solely their resumes. We were creating something new — a platform for connecting small businesses with pre-vetted consultants. The team needed to have grit, resilience and innovative thinking. I remember one of our earliest hires was a young developer with less experience than other candidates, but his passion for our mission and his problem-solving attitude stood out. Today, he’s one of our lead developers and has been instrumental in shaping our platform.
2. Treat others how you want to be treated.
As a small business owner, I experienced first-hand the challenges and pitfalls of navigating the business landscape. That experience made me aware of the kind of support I wished I had received. This empathy is what drives our work at Sobo. We aim to treat every small business owner who uses our platform as we would have wanted to be treated — with understanding, respect and the right support to help them succeed.
3. Don’t force your views onto others.
Building a platform like ours involves constant decision-making and strategic planning. I ensure everyone on our team feels heard and valued by creating a culture that encourages open discussion and respects differing opinions. There was a time when we faced a major strategic crossroads, and instead of imposing a decision, we facilitated a forum for open debate. This resulted in a more inclusive decision that had the whole team’s support.
4. Show one another love and respect.
We believe in celebrating each other’s contributions. That’s why I created a culture of acknowledgment and recognition that puts people first above everything. This mindset has now become a fundamental part of our team’s dynamic. Whether it’s a major product feature success or a small process improvement, we make it a point to recognize and appreciate each other’s efforts.
5. Focus on the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)
Our BHAG at Sobo is to democratize access to high-quality consultancy for small businesses. We envision a world where business size or budget doesn’t limit the quality of strategic guidance one can receive. This audacious goal unites us as a team, reminding us that despite our different roles, backgrounds, or perspectives, we’re all working together to make a meaningful impact in the business world.
We are going through a rough period now. What makes you optimistic about the future of the US? Can you please explain?
People are remarkably resilient, strong-willed, and determined to survive and thrive. We are going through a cycle. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
For me that is Elon Musk. I’d like to know how he can work 16 hour days, seven days a week without medication. I would also like to understand his obsession with Mars colonization and when he will be re-releasing Nikola Tesla’s free electricity model.
How can our readers follow you online?
They can find us at Sobo.ai and they can sign-up for early access to our patent-pending Fractional consultant matching platform there as well.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
