Serving colleges who teach my company’s curriculum has many benefits. The biggest benefit is the terrific people who I meet along the way.

Dennis Soukup is the Department Chair at the College of Southern Nevada and he is also a friend. During the 2014 HVAC Excellence Conference, Dennis and I met to discuss my upcoming visit to his department where I would teach soft skills to students and faculty.

“We have you scheduled to speak in an auditorium,” said Dennis. “But, there’s a different auditorium which has a piano” he added.

That piqued my interest.

Joe Marchese’s RSES Presentation

“Can you get the auditorium with the piano?” I pleaded.

Long story short, Dennis pulled a few strings and secured the Arts and Music auditorium.

Dennis had prearranged for Joe Marchese to speak about RSES, the benefits of association membership and the opportunities that exist within our industry. Joe’s message possessed a genuine concern for the student’s future along with his unmistakable authority as an industry expert.

Students heard more than Joe’s message. They also heard years of learning, application and experience – all of which are audible to the listener.  The passion and enthusiasm that Joe brings to his presentations will enhance the future careers among College of Southern Nevada students.

After Joe’s presentation, I spoke about soft skills.

Prior to my speech, I befriended two students.  Both conversations resulted in robust dialogue and uncanny coincidences among these students and me.  

Then I referred back to these student interactions during my talk to demonstrate the importance being comfortable in your own skin.

Playing Piano as Joe Looks On

“Soft skill mastery includes the ability to overcome the fear that some professionals sense when they meet someone new. The fear that we sense is almost always in our own head – those who we meet are usually much more receptive than we imagine.”

Then it was time to overcome my own fear about playing piano in public.

Was I nervous? You bet.

Did I have fun? You can ask Dennis or Joe.

Experts say that success is a journey, not a destination. The journey can be much more fun and fulfilling when folks overcome self-limiting beliefs that hold back future progress.