4 Leadership Skills That Hobbies Help Build

When Jean-Luc Robert, CEO of San Diego, Calif.-based Kyriba wants to blow off some steam, he straps on his skis and jumps out of a helicopter. Robert is an avid heli-skier and adventure sports enthusiast–hobbies he says help make him a better leader at his corporate finance technology company.

When executive coach Stacia Pierce works with business leaders, one of the first things she does is encourage them to find a hobby. Whether it’s developing a reading regimen or getting them out on a fishing boat, she helps her clients make time for the things they love outside of work. While many entrepreneurs argue that they don’t have time, Pierce says hobbies actually make people better at running their companies in four key areas.