To round off each issue, we ask our contributing business leaders for their views on the same question: “What hobbies outside of work have helped you to become a better leader?”
Scott Mitchell, CEO, Deep Blue
“I have several hobbies outside of work, but I think reading broadly has done the most to make me a better leader. Reading from a diverse library has helped me train my mind to analyze and evaluate new ideas, perspectives, and philosophies.
“It has also improved my ability to communicate across various topics and to diverse audiences. In my current role, I can find myself talking about highly technical issues with our operations team, work-life balance with our Head of HR, or global economic trends with investors in the boardroom. In each case I need to have a fundamental understanding of the topic, analyze its potential impact on our company, and communicate our plan to move forward.”
Matthew Dole, Director of Workforce Development, Lighthouse Electric Company, Inc.
“Becoming a husband and father; learning to navigate the challenges of marriage and raising children with my wife has certainly helped me to grow. Recently, both my children learned to ride bicycles. They are two years apart – my daughter being eight years of age and my son six. Teaching my daughter was easy, as she responded well to my style of teaching and was off her training wheels the same summer we started.
“My son, however, was a different story. He did not respond well to my style and that led to frustrations with both of us trying to get to the point where he did not need his training wheels anymore. I realized that he wasn’t responding well to the same instructions that my daughter did so well with. I changed my approach to allow him to move at his own pace and within a month he no longer needed his training wheels, the frustration we both felt was gone, and now all of us can ride our bikes together and enjoy our time.
“This reinforced to me how each person is unique and that I need to understand the people I work with and be willing to adjust my own style to help support them in the best way I can.”
Francoise Culley-Trotman, CEO, AlohaCare
“Volunteering and reading. Volunteering in partnership with our local March of Dimes, American Heart Association, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides an important opportunity to prioritize and recognize the contributions of others. I have learned to greatly appreciate the many opportunities I have been given and to create pathways for others. Reading relaxes me and fuels my mind. It often inspires new connections, thought-provoking conversations, and clarity to help with problem-solving.”
Ranjeet Banerjee, CEO, Cold Chain Technologies
“I like to play sports and learn music. For example, tennis is a highly technical game; you need the right technique, and with leadership, you need a talented team, but instead of technique, it’s about processes. You also need strategic leadership and the intent of where you are headed; it’s an aspiration test where I want to be better and play at my highest level.”
