Hobbies are not only a great way to pass the time or relieve stress, but they can also help you become a better leader and a more well-rounded person. We asked successful entrepreneurs to share their personal hobbies and how they specifically help them be better team leaders.
1) Reading autobiographies
Dreamland Jewelry Vice President Danielle Barry shares that she enjoys reading autobiographies as a hobby and tends to take important quotes from each one to compare to her own life. “I love a good autobiography and being able to get a glimpse into someone else’s life. It’s an exciting feeling to get to know someone just by reading a book and then having a completely different picture of them in your head.
I like to take quotes or life lessons from each book because I find that there are always words of wisdom in autobiographies because most of the people who wrote them have had quite colorful lives. I also find that the act of reading helps me to be a better worker because I can retain information much better and my vocabulary is much better, which is helpful when you’re writing letters all day.
Reading autobiographies helps me be a better leader because I can take positive messages from almost any book and I also tend to have more empathy for others. I think it’s easy to judge someone without really knowing them, and reading about someone’s life helps me be less judgmental and less biased. As a leader, this is a really important skill because you tend to empathize with others more and listen and understand the needs of your team better.”
2) swimming
Swimming is not only good sport and exercise, but it also helps Sarah Robertson, executive director of The Arbors Assisted Living, to be a better team leader. “I absolutely love swimming as exercise as well as relaxation. I’m not a skilled swimmer by any means, I just like to be in a completely different environment for a few hours every day and be alone with my thoughts.
When you’re an entrepreneur, sometimes you’re too busy to really think about all the great ideas floating around in your head. Swimming allows me to get lost in thought and be able to come up with some great ideas for company. Swimming also keeps me physically active, which is great for my health. I find that I wake up every day in my stride and better prepared to take on the day. I also find that I have less anxiety when I swim often because I’m doing something I love, which helps keep my well-being in check. It really helps me be a better leader every day.”
3) Preparing complex meals
Cooking can take a lot of practice to get every step right, which Karen Lee of Smart Robotic Home says is what keeps her sharp. “Cooking complex and high-quality meals requires a lot of patience and perseverance, both of which are essential to running a company. Being meticulous is something that can help you see the finer details of something, which is why I like to cook often. I find that I am more focused and can solve small issues that can turn into something bigger.
With high quality preparation, you also need to make sure that your presentation sticks because this is what you are presenting to your family and friends. Just like at work, when you have to present to other business professionals, you want your end result to be perfect. When you think about the details, you end up being a better leader because you put in a lot of effort to get the results you want.”