Americo Petrocelli A Diamond in the Rough As Director of the URI Administrative Computer Center, I reported to Rick Petrocelli,VP for Business and Finance at URI. I learned a lot from a boss who never seemed to be teaching. He didn’t look like a university executive. When he walked into a room you might take him for the caterer but he made that his strength. He paid attention. He gave you respect whoever you were. So,when he started talking, he had your attention, had your respect. In his youth on Federal Hill he earned a PHD in chemistry-the chemistry of life. He went on to earn a PHD in chemistry from Providence College. He headed Yardney, a company that made batteries for submarines. He was the first RI Commissioner of Higher Education. He founded the RI Children’s Crusade that provides scholarships for disadvantaged children. I worked with him to install the first Children’s Crusade Data System. He got things done. He knew about power. He knew about leadership. The thing was, he did it his way. He was the same person, whether he was with the governor or with a janitor. He wasted no energy putting on a work face. He bragged whenever he wore a tie that cost less than a buck. He seldom spent time at his staff meetings checking on our projects, on our ups and downs. Instead, he brought the outside world back to us, helped us see that we were part of a larger picture. He used to tell me, “John, if I get to know a lot about your job, you’re in trouble… Just tell me what you need to get it done.” He often had a colorful way to make a point. He once told us that believing is the best revenge. Then explained, “When someone comes into my office to complain about some incompetent, evil coworker, I ask for the bad guy’s phone number and pick up the phone. The complainer almost always asks “what are you doing?” I’m going to fire the SOB. ‘Oh! No! No! No! Don’t do that!’ Once when we were dealing with a nasty problem someone suggested we bring the University lawyer in. Rick responded “We got lawyers to keep us out of jail, not to tell us how to run the place. First, figure out what you want to do, then call the lawyer.” He once sent his Yardney management team to the first “God Father” film to study management principles. So what did I learn from this boss/teacher? • Always be yourself. • Make your weaknesses your strength. • (and my corollary) Don’t let your strength become your weakness. • Study people and human nature. • Remember who’s in charge and who has a stake. • Start with respect. • Don’t micromanage. • Paint the big picture. • Get it done. John Barry