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Bernie Knobbe is retiring in his early sixties, though he could easily pass for a decade younger. The head of global benefits and well-being at AECOM will be leaving full-time employment with over eight thousand LinkedIn connections. He’s professionally and personally interacted with most of them over the course of a career that began in 1981.
At various employers, the idea of “Bernie-izing” a communications document—improving the wording and efficacy of a written piece’s intention—became a familiar term for his teams. So did “the Bernie brand,” which encapsulates Knobbe’s authentic approach to work and leadership. Known for quips like “employees will be doing cartwheels down the halls” if benefits and culture are done right, Knobbe is less of a benefits leader and more of a smiling force of nature to foster change and improvement.
As he celebrates the milestone of his retirement, Knobbe is eager to give back to future leaders and professionals, continuing his legacy of helping organizations perform at the top of their game. Knobbe has always been a glass-half-full kind of guy, but he doesn’t gloss over the hard work it takes to drive organizational change and make a real difference.
Knobbe has supported and molded employees into future leaders wherever he went and, even in his retirement, there’s no doubt he’ll continue speaking, mentoring, and devoting his time to helping people (and pets) be the best they can be. These are just a few of the big lessons Knobbe has learned in over forty years in the game, driving benefits innovation at AECOM, Yahoo!, Hilton, Xerox, Bank of America, Gap, Accenture, and several other companies.
His colleagues recognize his numerous contributions over the years. “Aon’s relationship with AECOM is a trusted partnership focused on continuous innovation and enriching lives,” says Eric Watkins, global lead partner at Aon. “Collaborating with Bernie with a focus on those outcomes has been a privilege. He has had impact on countless lives and the healthcare industry. Congratulations, Bernie! We know your capacity to make the world a better place does not stop with retirement.”
Take a Risk
Knobbe says he learned early on that HR’s value always depends on the success of the overall organization. HR and benefits policies don’t exist in a vacuum; they must propel the business forward. That means HR pros need to think outside their department, which can be a little scary at times.
“One of the things I’ve always told teams is that they have to be a little courageous, a little brave, and willing to take a managed risk,” Knobbe says.
The benefits head learned the value of taking a calculated risk early in life. After skipping a grade in junior high school, Knobbe applied for a college internship with the Department of the Treasury that was only open to juniors and seniors. When his interviewer asked why he had applied as a sophomore, he explained that he would be a junior in the fall. He also promised that no other applicant could match his excitement, enthusiasm, and work ethic. “I figured I didn’t have anything to lose, and I got the internship,” he recalls.
A few years later, Knobbe took another risk when he joined a company that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy a week before his start date. Then his boss quit his first week in his new first-ever benefits role. Instead of walking away from the challenge, Knobbe embraced it. He testified in court proceedings quarterly, learned about the costs and financials of benefits, and learned lessons that never left him these many years later.
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Take the Bullet for The Team
Creating leaders means modeling what good leadership looks like.
“I’ve always said my job is to take the bullet,” the SVP says. “If we don’t deliver on something, I take accountability. You’d be amazed at how much calmer and rational people are willing to be if you just take responsibility upfront and not look for others to blame. It’s about problem-solving together. Learn from the mistake, figure out how to avoid it from happening again, and focus on partnering together to achieve success in the future.”
Sometimes, the risks your team takes don’t pan out. But if you want your team to keep tasking risks, it’s important to show your team you have their backs, according to Knobbe. “I will always give my people that support because their trust and loyalty is so important to making and keeping a team great,” he says.
Knobbe’s team at AECOM jokingly calls him “the king of the 360” because he provides the full context of every situation, and early on. He will explain what was done, why it was done, what that action is addressing, and what the outcome should or will be. He’d rather overexplain and share being super inclusive than leave room for uncertainty.
At the same time, a former fellow leader once advised Knobbe to write “WAIT” on a Post-it note as a reminder to himself. He could be so quick to help his team that it prevented others from discovering solutions on their own. Knobbe still thinks about that Post-it note and heeds its advice.
“As I progressed in my career, I learned to let them find 80% of what they need to figure it out and then fill in the rest as a supportive leader and ensure they are teachable moments,” Knobbe explains. He is often heard saying “it takes a village” to inspire them to be collaborative. In his eyes, no one accomplishes amazing work acting as a solo act.
Devoted to Dogs
As Bernie Knobbe’s next chapter begins, it’s a little blurry but much more furry. Knobbe and his partner of twenty-five years were deeply moved by the mission of senior dog rescue Muttville after first seeing Muttville founder Sherri Franklin featured as a finalist for the 2016 CNN Hero of the Year award.
They are in the process of creating their own dog nonprofit to support other dog rescue organizations, including helping senior and health challenged dogs find a forever home.
“Muttville’s tagline is ‘Every dog deserves a new beginning,’” Knobbe says, his eyes becoming a bit glassy. “We’re on our sixth senior dog. They’ve often devoted their lives to someone, and they deserve that same level of devotion late in life. The saying goes, ‘Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.’”
The Bernie Brand
A former CHRO once told Knobbe to “never lose the Bernie brand,” referring to Knobbe’s appealing authenticity, professionalism and positive approach.
“He told me that I’m always myself, whether I’m in front of a CEO, CFO, a group of HR professionals, or employees at a meeting,” Knobbe remembers. “I might change the wording a bit, but that leader told me that I’m able to instill confidence because of my credibility and integrity.”
That brand has fostered internal equity—a sense of trust that cannot be categorized but is deeply felt. Knobbe has invested time and care in relationships. He’s delivered for his people over and over again. And he’s always looking for ways to help his people shine.
Knobbe says that for HR and benefits professionals, not seeing an immediate ROI can be frustrating. Yet these professionals can build lasting and important structures in organizations that employees feel the effects of every single day. Take it from a man who has had everyday interactions named after him. You don’t have to do it like Bernie, but it’s a heck of a place to start.
Take a look back at previous features:
2019: The Integration of Wellness and HR at AECOM
2018: Impact: Healthy Improvements
For over 25 years, Blue has partnered with many of the most recognized companies in the world to provide best-in-class employee communications for HR, benefits, organizational change, culture, well-being and much more. We forge lasting and trusting relationships with our clients to help them think big and achieve their goals. Use our imagination®. Learn more at bluecommunications.com.
Aon exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. We provide our clients with advice and solutions that give them the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business. We value our long-standing partnership with AECOM, supporting the health of its employees alongside Bernie Knobbe. Bernie’s innovative vision for healthcare outcomes has set industry standards. At Aon, our mission to improve decision-making and enrich lives aligns seamlessly with Bernie’s goals, making this collaboration extremely gratifying. Aon is in the business of better decisions.
Mercer, a proud member of Marsh McLennan, stands as the world’s leading professional services firm in risk, strategy, and people. With a global presence spanning 40 countries and a workforce of over 21,000 talented individuals, Mercer is the unrivaled HR consulting powerhouse. Our comprehensive range of services, including employee healthcare, welfare, retirement, talent management, M&A, change management, and strategy, ensures the utmost effectiveness of your workforce. We take immense pride in our longstanding partnership with AECOM’s esteemed Bernie Knobbe and his exceptional global team. Together, we have accomplished great things, and truly improved the lives of AECOM associates worldwide.
