Christopher Strotridge Moves to the Arthur Murray All Star Finals
Name: Christopher Strotridge
Studio: Lake Forest/Riverside
All Star History: Made the Quarterfinals
Hired by Arthur Murray: 2004
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?
CS: I was in complete shock. Friends say my expression was priceless.
AML: How did you feel going into the Semi-Finals?
JB: I was nervous going into the semis. But knew there was nothing else I could do to prepare, and just had to do it.
AML: What kind of last minute things did you do to prepare?
CS: Anything I could do to take my mind off of sitting in the hallway. I joked with other teammates.
AML: How has this process made you a better professional?
CS: This has definitely made me better by practicing my problem solving and communication skills.
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.
CS: I was notoriously bad in testing situations. I've only made it to the District level (quarterfinals) because of letting my mind get the best of me time and time again. This time, I allowed myself to get lost in the experience and be completely with my 'student'.
AML: What will it mean to you if the team wins it all this year?
CS: If my team wins... I'll probably cry.
AML: Who are some people that helped you get to this point?
CS: All the students I was able to use my communications training with helped out a great deal. My franchisees helped with awesome training, and my friends that constantly reminded me that I'm at this level for a reason. To just be me.
AML: Last question: what does this mean to you? What makes it special?
CS: Getting to the area (semi-finals) and even winning has helped me realize that I have to get out of my way and be present in all situations. Whether that's a simulated scenario or in reality using my communication training to improve my ability with students.
It helps all of us be better professionals.
What makes this special is the fact that I've overcome my own internal block. My hands don't sweat as much, and I don't trip over my words as often.
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