Editor’s note: Alan Schonberg, founder of MRI and a pioneer in search, died Friday. His obituary is here.
You’d pick up the phone and it would be Alan.
Just calling to see how you were doing. Always with some compliment. Some encouragement. Some wisdom. Always about you.
His favorite thing was introducing a trainer – or in my case – the “placement lawyer” to MRI.
He became so successful by helping others succeed. One at a time. Then tens of millions, really. Including you. The MRI/SC/OM5 managers, franchisees and their recruiters. The associates of the managers, franchisees and their recruiters. The business model and techniques of successful practitioners everywhere. The candidates they place around the world. The employers they staff globally. Alan’s many philanthropic causes.
Alan never changed in the half-century we walked and talked. Always the gracious gentleman who exuded class. The gentle giant who bent down and lovingly raised people up one at a time.
I remember once in the heat of a court battle I quipped, “There’s MRI and there’s everyone else.” He smiled, and that became his favorite private quote. He’d never say it publicly.
Alan didn’t care about the accolades, awards and adoration. He cared about the person in front of him. Genuinely. From the heart.
Toward the end, he said “Living to 85 ain’t that bad.” That’s the only time I ever disagreed with him. He deserved to live forever. He was that wonderful.
Article Continues Below
5 Ways to Hire Like It’s 2021
Yes – Alan Schonberg lives on in the stories about his generosity and wisdom. In the lives of those tens of millions. Including you. So he wasn’t really a legend. He was legendary.
When I started practicing law, Alan wrote me a letter. I framed it, but never hung it in our office. I was too embarrassed because I couldn’t possibly be the man he described. So I hung it in my study at home. At least I could try.
Alan didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you the truth. It was up to you to make it so. In that magical way, he didn’t just make you feel special. He made you special.
Magicians don’t really disappear.
Maybe Alan will call.
I had the privilege of knowing Alan during my time at MRI and one of the most amazing things I will always remember was his ability to remember the names of everyone he met, no matter how long it was since he last saw them. He also remembered all the different things impacting their lives, when to call with a ‘word of wisdom’, when to listen and when to just be there for someone who was struggling. He cared about people which made him such a warm person and someone people wanted to have a chance to know and work alongside whether it was a charity function, business or just social. He was the ultimate networker in our business, the like of which so many of use would love to be. The recruitment industry has seen one of its truly bright lights extinguished this week, but he will remain with all those he touched, like the author, forever.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
It is always nice to have those who you wish to emulate.