Robert Lee Barber originally began his career as an engineer in West Palm Beach, FL. After three years, he moved to the job that would set the course for the following years of his career. “I was good at project management and working with people,” Robert says. “I got a job in human resources and built my career in HR and labor relations.” During that time, the company he was with grew exponentially. “It was the right time and place,” Robert explains. “I was young and willing to take risks and roles no one else wanted.”
After ten years, Robert started his own business in commercial real estate in 2006. “Then, in the crash of 2008, my business went belly up,” he says. “During that time, God worked on me.” In this period of growth, Robert’s priorities were reset. His family got involved in church again and Robert and a business partner started a distressed asset company in real estate.
In 2019, the Barber family was led to move to Chattanooga. “God has blessed us the entire time we’ve been here,” Robert shares. “We’ve built a life here and it’s been amazing.” That leap of faith to move to Chattanooga has been a huge blessing to Robert and his family. Robert encourages others to take bold steps as well. “Take the time to have a plan and seek wise counsel,” he says, “but you have to move forward.”
Robert started doing executive and general business coaching through his company, ROYI Academy, in late 2019. ROYI later evolved into Paratus Consulting as Robert focused more on working with corporations. “I've been called to help transform the workplace,” Robert explains. “So many workplaces are just surviving and they don't spend time developing leaders. I help organizations develop one consistent model of leadership within their organization to create a culture of leadership.”
In 2021, Robert published his book CEO for Life—an Amazon bestseller—and shared what business has taught him about everyday life. “I wrote this book about all of the practices we learn in successful corporations that we can adapt into our own life,” Robert explains. “Being the CEO of yourself is a concept I leaned into when I first started doing coaching.” Since then, Robert has written two more books: The Leadership Secret No One Tells You and The Most Dangerous Team in the Room.
Out of all the things Robert has done over the years, one thing stood out. “What I loved the most was pouring into people and their businesses,” Robert shares. “It’s very fulfilling to see someone else succeed and I love celebrating that.” Through the perspective he’s gained from his faith, he also sees the eternal impact on people through what he’s doing. “Knowing that we are loved by our Creator has changed how I see people,” he shares.
This year, Robert started working with AlloHire in talent development, where he’s enjoyed having a team to work with again after years of working on his own.
To connect with or learn more about Robert and his work, email: Rob@RobertLeeBarber.com or visit his author website: www.RobertLeeBarber.com.
“What I loved the most was pouring into people and their businesses. It’s very fulfilling to see someone else succeed and I love celebrating that.”