I really enjoy listening to people who talk about their passions, their inspirations, and what they love to do. It’s like receiving a shot of adrenaline, and the Entre-Nous with Howard Armitage was exactly that.

Howard teaches our BET 605 Accounting course – ‘Essential Accounting for Entrepreneurs and Enterprise Intrapreneurs’ so our class has had the pleasure of getting to know Howard and his teaching methods that make accounting “seductive, sultry and sexy”.  You may be asking: How can this be?  How can accounting be ‘seductive, sultry and sexy’?  I had this same question and doubts at the beginning of the year – but sure enough, it’s true.  Our accounting class is great!  The material may still be difficult, and exams are never fun, but accounting has become something more than just another class, skill-set or business necessity. I couldn’t put my finger on the exact reason why this course was unique, but it just was.

Howard often combines real-life situations with classroom subject matter, which might not be different from many excellent teachers, however, he also includes many stories and personal situations that are often related to what is being taught. Essentially, Howard adds that extra special ingredient that results in an accounting class indistinguishable from the professor who teaches it.  A classmate approached Howard to ask if he could take part in the unique MBET Entre-Nous talks, to perhaps provide some insights into what makes a person passionate about teaching accounting, helping students, and providing a sincere sense of care not seen or felt as often as you’d think.

The simple, yet powerful principles Howard shared with us struck some deep chords within every person listening in that room.  ’Love what you do’ stood out as the most important objective anyone should ever have in life, and if you haven’t found it than don’t stop looking until you do.  It was surprising to learn that Howard’s love for teaching wasn’t known to him from a young age, but that he only discovered it somewhat by chance in his mid-to-late twenties.  After that, there was no looking back!

Once you discover what you’re meant to do, it becomes who you are, and success then just comes from the hard work you put into doing what you love.  We’ve experienced this outside of the classroom too, as the repeat Ontario squash champion definitely doesn’t shy away from poking fun at students who can’t score a single point against him.

Although nothing can replace listening to or watching Howard share his thoughts with us, the following are some highlightst that we all were able to take away with us:

Learn from the best, be generous with your time and assist others. Make every encounter a learning experience, by looking at everything with a jar-half-full approach.  Make sure the relationship with your spouse is strong and take care of the rocks, or truly important things in your life.  After all, money is a false idol.

Find your dream, pursue it vigourously, don’t lose faith, and love what you do.

Thanks Howard!