Mike PleziaInside service technician, Clark Associates · Commercial Equipment, HVAC, and Refrigeration professional

The Callback Isn't Always Your Fault #hvac #tradetips #newtech

1 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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1:02

In this concise video, HVAC veteran Mike Plezia addresses new technicians who fear callbacks after completing a job. He explains that not every callback indicates a mistake; sometimes unrelated components fail, homeowners misuse settings, or sheer bad luck is to blame. He urges techs to separate their self‑worth from the outcome, to re‑diagnose the problem with fresh eyes, fix the actual issue, and move on. The core message is that resilient professionals view callbacks as learning opportunities rather than proof of incompetence, and they can use the experience to help peers avoid the same mindset.

Chapters

Hey, are you new to the trades? Here's something you may not know about callbacks. Your phone rings, it's the job from last week, and your stomach drops. It feels like proof you messed up. But not every callback is a mistake. Sometimes a different part fails right after yours holds fine. Sometimes the homeowner cranked the thermostat down to 60 and blames the system. Sometimes it's just bad luck timed badly. Separate your worth from the outcome. If you diagnosed carefully, did the job right, and something unrelated goes wrong 2 weeks later, that's not a reflection of your skill, that's just how mechanical systems work. Go back, look at it with fresh eyes, fix what's actually wrong, and move on. The techs who last in this trade aren't the ones who never get callbacks. They're the ones who don't let a callback convince them they're not good at their job. Handle it professionally, learn what you can, and let the rest go. Now that you know, you can help someone else know.