Many, if not all, of my presentations include a discussion on what I call the "soft skills." The skills that life teaches us as we carve our way in the world...small things like calling others by name; a pat on the back when a peer has had a bad day; or a call to a friend who we want to speak with today not tomorrow. (And ingoring that voice in our head saying, "It's her turn to call me.")
I believe any success I have enjoyed in life is in part due to my Maritime roots and my attention to these soft skills. A few days ago I received an e-mail from a former student at Middleton Regional High School. Karen is younger than I so she was a few years behind me in school - meaning our paths did not cross on a daily basis. After not seeing Karen since approximately 1964 her e mail arrived - I am humbled to know that she remembers my belief in soft skills from so many years ago. Her e-mail is proof that it truly is the small stuff that people remember us for. I will reconnect with Karen this summer at our MRHS Reunion. In part, Karen's e-mail reads as follows -
"...I picked up your latest book. Please let me say how proud I am of your many accomplishments. But the one thing that stands out the most for me is how down-to-earth you have stayed throughout it all. I remember being at high school and how you were one of the few seniors who would speak to me on a regular basis when we passed in the hall. I was enthralled with the compassion, openness and sincerity that came out in your discriptions of your battle with cancer. I also appreciated the chapter on what to say and not to say when someone you know is going through the battle. Again thank you for all that you do for those around you.
Regards
Karen Hasse January 31, 2010"
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