Tom Selba Advances to the 2017 Arthur Murray All Star Championships
Name: Tom Selba
Studio: Arnold
All Star History: District Testing
Year You Started in the Business: 2012
Position: Specialist
What is the AM All Star Competition?The Arthur Murray All Stars is a skills competition for every level of professional within each location around the world. The goal is to grow, develop, and reveal the professionals that demonstrate the best customer service, communication, problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. The competition begins in each studio and winners advance to small region, or District, competitions. From there the District winners advance to the large region, or Area, competition. Finally, the Area winners advance to the World Championships in Las Vegas where each Area team tests and one team is pronounced the winner.
More importantly, the real winners are the students of the Arthur Murray Dance Studios as these tests, and accompanying training, help to deliver better communication, teamwork, problem solving, and confidence from every member of the staff.
AML: First off, congratulations on moving into the finals in Last Vegas. How did you react when the announcement was made?
TS: I was in a state of shock. I was happy, excited, nervous, and surprised. I had gotten compliments throughout the afternoon training by some of the Franchisees judging, which I honestly thought might be a consolation prize for not making through the Area testing, not as a foreshadowing of good news.
After talking to the fellow specialists, I believed they all did an awesome job and knew it would be a tough decision. I wasn't sure how to react. After another team member win and show such emotion I thought, "Maybe that's how I should react?!?" I was on cloud nine still can't believe it. It was surreal!
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
TS: I felt under-prepared. I felt I wasn't ready. I was nervous. I felt like a student going to their first showcase.
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
TS: We went through test simulations with the staff throughout the week. I read, re-read, and the read some more. I used the test simulations embedded in the releases and pictured talking to specific students in our studio. Jackie Christy said, "You're going to Vegas! This is your year!" There was support, many "good lucks", and confidence building from the staff. I had a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte with four shots of espresso! (Maybe that's the secret.)
All the District finalists in the waiting room clapped every time someone went to a testing room. We practiced on each other in the waiting room. We listened to "Eye of the Tiger" and many other inspirational 80s ballad rock songs.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
TS: Winning came with a huge boost of self-esteem, confidence, and dedication to the craft. In some cases, an open mind allowed me the opportunity to see new approaches to handling situations in the studio. The process also highlighted some of the missing links in my approach of really excelling in this business and creating a successful studio.
I've considered myself a social butterfly, but often I forget to keep my objective in mind, to have a goal and plan of action, to remember the little techniques of service that make Arthur Murray the best. Looking back on my time with Arthur Murray, I realize that smallest details can make or break the success of a plan, a program, a student, or a studio. The preparation and use of the training can really take your success in the studio to the next level.
AML: What's you All Star backstory? If you can give a little synopsis of the highs and lows of this competition over the years.
TS: I've always been super nervous. My first year was traumatizing. I had no idea what was expected. The following four years I got less intimidated by the process, but ultimately never put in the time and effort to read the articles fully and implement the strategies in the studio. To simply try is all that you need to do. You will fail AND you will succeed many times, but you learn from every situation.
Due to many changes within the studio, I wasn't going to compete this year. Fate decided differently. When asked if I would like to test at the District level, I had experienced a change in my desire, dedication, and goals within the business. Something inside me told me, "DO IT!", so I jumped at the opportunity.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
TS: It will mean bragging rights for a year, a little extra money to put away, and being placed in the Arthur Murray history books. It will mean that we were the best of the best in 2017 and will stand tall knowing we worked together as a TEAM. "When we're working together, we can get things done" -- Barney the Dinosaur.
I hope it will give me an opportunity to network and have a bigger role in my stdio and in this business. I will be so proud of my team, Area Two (Area WHAT? Area WHO? All I hear is AREA TWO!!) and the awesome staff we generate and I hope it will open doors for all of us. I think it commands a little respect, but I will stay humble through it all and use what I have learned for the future generations of Arthur Murray, knowing that I couldn't have done all of this on my own.
AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point?
TS: My parents who helped and worked to create a strong work ethic and moral base for me. They, along with my ten siblings and closest friends, always supported me for my differences and were there for me when things got tough, even if through my own fault.
They supported my decision to leave behind a well-earned math degree and teaching career and are always there for their kids. Every day is an adventure and they know how to make the best of it.
Paul Pietrzak: a colleague, mentor, friend, and role model in this business. He has been there to sympathize with my struggles, lend a helping hand, and has been shoulder to lean on. I stayed in this business when I wasn't sure of what to do. His guidance, wisdom, and training have been a huge inspiration.
Tim Hippert: a colleague, mentor, friend, and role model. His dedication to his craft, his humbleness, and his personality are continually in my thoughts. He is sincere, honest, and a great friend.
Autumn Baldwin, my Franchisee. I can not express in words how grateful and thankful I am to have her as my boss. She has such a kind heart and is willing to help those who are willing to help themselves. She sees the best in people and will give them a second change (even a third, fourth, and fifth...). She is always challenging us to find a deeper meaning to the surface of the wants, needs, and desires of our students. "If you don't charge, you don't grow. If you're not growing, you're dying!"
Jackie Christy, my manager. She has always been there to talk about life and lend her expertise in the studio. She has motivated, encouraged, and worked with me to become a more mature adult and professional.
Any Arthur Murray professional willing to give their time and are dedicated to making other's lives better and more fulfilling. Sharing their wealth of knowledge has been a huge motivational aspect of my growth in this business.
All the great teachers from school who inspired with their passion and dedication to want to help other and even the teachers who made me think "If I was in their shoes, I would do it so much better!"
The doubters, liars, pessimists, and those have discouraged my dreams. Those people who've scarred me and, in turn, are a reminder of who I will not become.
All of our students that challenge us daily and the little "light bulb moments" that make an "okay week" into a "fabulous week"!
There are probably countless others who I've left out, but my experiences and past have helped make me a better person today.
AML: Last question: what does this mean to you? What makes it special?
TS: IT MEANS I GET AN ALL-STAR JACKET!!! This validates all the hard work and extra time I've been putting into my personal and professional growth this past year and a half. I have turned over a new leaf and I am excited for what the future holds.
I have been asked a number of times by my manager and franchisee, "Do you know how great you are?", and told "You are great, you just have to use what, be yourself, and stop thinking so much!" I applied myself, stopped procrastinating, and took on the challenge. It worked out in my favor. Fear has been a constant presence in my life and I backed down from many situations to improve, succeed, and better myself. I've learned to not regret, but accept the past; to not fear, but have faith in the future; to have confidence and live in the present.
What makes it the most special is that I am able to acknowledge who I am and I continue to learn more about myself every day. I've learned to put more trust in instinct and less on what I think and how others may react or think about me!
My mission in life is to make other people happy. If they laugh as well, that's a bonus. I believe this all helps me do that.
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