I got punched in the face, so you don’t have to. Here’s what I learned. I’ve been curious about Muay Thai kickboxing for a while. Since the gym where I train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers both – I went to a class to try it out.

Most of the others who were training were familiar to me from BJJ. But it was an interesting role reversal. I’m more advanced in BJJ than most of them. They were more advanced in Muay Thai.

I was brand spanking new. So new, I wasn’t sure how to put my gloves on.

My partner was a Samoan guy named Junior. Junior is not a small man. Gratefully, he seemed to know what he was doing and coached me through the drills.

Junior was in control and restrained. Even so, any fantasy that I might be a “natural” vanished with his first combination of punches and kicks.

It was a great workout. I had fun. And I have a lot to learn.

Important navel-gazing ahead…for your benefit

On my way to class, there was a moment when I didn’t want to go. I wasn’t sure why. Then I realized it was my uncertainty about the experience that was causing internal resistance.

In the class, I found myself responding the way I often do in new situations. I like to hang back, stay quiet, and watch everyone else. Even though I knew nearly everyone there, that’s what I felt. It took some effort to engage and connect.

There was a certain level of excitement about trying something new. But also discomfort about doing something unfamiliar, needing to ask for help, requiring extra coaching and repeated explanations.

And all of that was good for me.

This is why I believe if you are a leader, you need a new hobby. Specifically, a hobby that is:

• Skill-based
• Social
• Challenging with a steep learning curve
• Everyone else is better than you

Long walks on the beach and finding new chocolate shops aren’t really what I’m talking about.

We need situations where we aren’t the best. Or decent. Or even mediocre. Sometimes we need to be lousy.

I work with a lot of very smart and accomplished people. Both clients and colleagues. It’s one of the perks of the job.

It’s expected that they are experts in their fields. Many are community or professional leaders. Others are industry movers and shakers. Some are best-selling authors.

It can go to their head. It’s not healthy to always be the final word. The expert. The smartest person in the room.

From my observation – the most accomplished people have a common tendency: They keep finding ways to be learners. And not just from reading books. They learn from others.

They expose themselves to the risk of looking foolish, needing help, and not being the best. They hire coaches, they join learning experiences, they let themselves be challenged, they…take on new hobbies.

I’ve met many leaders who plateau. They get stuck at a certain level of accomplishment and go no further. They so desperately want to be the best, they can no longer put themselves in positions to learn. They refuse to surround themselves with anyone who might be better or brighter.

They stop growing.

What new hobbies teach me

My hobbies tend to be physical in some way. Maybe I need to balance out the hours I spend writing, listening, reading, and talking. I don’t know.

But it is important to place ourselves into positions where we need to be learners again. Where we are confronted, regularly, with the fact that “we don’t know what we don’t know”. Where we can be mystified and in awe of someone else’s skill.

It’s important to be reminded of fear and inhibition.

It’s important to never become too comfortable.

It’s important to find and face challenges.

A new hobby, especially a challenging hobby, can help a leader:

• Rediscover humility
• Cultivate empathy for those who are new
• Renew curiosity
• Reawaken appreciation
• Explore themselves outside of their formal role and resume
• Become more grounded

One other thing I’ve learned about the various hobbies I’ve taken on over the years. I’ve always ended up thinking – I wish I had started this years ago…

Do you agree?

Is there something that you’d like to learn or do?

How might you grow if you start now?

Take good care,

Christian

In the podcast Thought Leaders Driving Returns (TLDR), I’m interviewed by host Hunter Guthrie about how important mindset is in leadership and about effecting cultural change in the face of transition.  LISTEN HERE.

Are you interested in learning more about becoming a successful CEO? If so, get a free copy of my book The Successful New CEO. Not a new CEO? I’ve been told by “old hands” that they felt any CEO should read this. So, click here to get your copy today.

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