Startup leadership often comes with long hours and constant pressure. In the early days of building companies in Montreal, I believed that being always on was a badge of honor. Over time, I learned that nonstop work does not lead to better decisions. It often leads to burnout and tunnel vision. Stepping away from work through hobbies has helped me become a clearer thinker, a better leader, and a more balanced person.
Why Balance Matters in Startup Leadership
Startups move fast. Leaders are expected to make decisions quickly and confidently. When life becomes only about work, judgment suffers. Fatigue clouds thinking. Stress limits creativity.
I noticed this pattern in myself early on. After weeks of long nights and skipped weekends, I became reactive. I solved problems faster, but not better. “I was answering the loudest issue instead of the most important one,” I remember. Balance is not about working less. It is about thinking better.
Hobbies Create Mental Space
Hobbies give the brain a break from constant problem solving. They create space for ideas to settle and new perspectives to form.
For me, hockey has been one of the most powerful resets. When I am on the ice, there is no email, no pitch deck, and no roadmap. There is only movement, focus, and teamwork. After a game, problems that felt heavy often seem clearer. “I have solved more startup challenges in the locker room than in meetings,” I often say.
That mental reset improves decision making back at work.
Hiking Builds Patience and Perspective
Hiking has taught me lessons that apply directly to leadership. Trails are rarely straight. Progress is steady, not rushed. You adjust to terrain and weather as they come.
During a difficult product launch, I spent a weekend hiking outside Montreal. With no screens and no noise, I had time to think through options calmly. “I realized the problem was not the timeline. It was unclear ownership,” I recall. That insight led to a simple change that improved execution.
Hiking encourages patience. It reminds leaders that progress happens step by step.
Food and Curiosity Go Together
Being a foodie may seem unrelated to startups, but curiosity drives both. Exploring new restaurants means trying new ideas, cultures, and experiences. It keeps the mind open.
I often meet founders and team members over meals. Conversations flow differently when people are relaxed. Some of the best ideas I have heard came over shared plates, not conference tables. “Good food has a way of breaking down barriers and opening honest dialogue,” I have noticed.
That openness translates to better collaboration and more thoughtful decisions.
Hobbies Strengthen Emotional Intelligence
Leadership is not only about strategy. It is about people. Hobbies improve emotional awareness by creating situations where leaders are not in control.
On the hockey rink, you rely on teammates. On a trail, you respect your limits. Trying a new restaurant means being open to surprise. These experiences build humility and empathy.
I learned to listen better at work by learning to listen off the clock. “When you stop trying to control everything, you start understanding people better,” I have found. That understanding leads to better leadership decisions.
Better Decisions Come From Distance
Stepping away from work creates distance. Distance allows leaders to see patterns instead of noise.
When I am stuck on a decision, I now step back instead of pushing harder. A walk, a game, or a meal often reveals what matters most. “Distance helps separate urgency from importance,” I explain.
This approach reduces impulsive decisions and improves long term thinking.
Making Time Without Guilt
Many founders feel guilty for taking time away from work. I used to feel the same way. I thought rest was earned only after success. I was wrong.
Hobbies are not a reward. They are a tool. They support mental clarity and better judgment. When leaders are rested and balanced, teams benefit. Decisions improve. Communication improves. Culture improves.
I now schedule personal time with the same respect as meetings. That structure makes balance sustainable.
Encouraging Balance in Startup Teams
Leaders set the tone. If founders never step away, teams feel pressure to do the same.
I openly talk about my hobbies with my team. I encourage them to unplug and pursue interests outside work. “When people bring full lives to work, they bring better ideas,” I have learned.
This approach builds trust and reduces burnout. It also leads to better outcomes.
Practical Ways to Build Balance
Here are simple ways leaders can integrate balance into daily life.
- Block time for hobbies each week.
- Treat rest as part of performance.
- Encourage teams to disconnect after work hours.
- Use hobbies as reflection time, not distraction.
- Lead by example.
Small habits create lasting impact.
Conclusion
Balancing life and leadership is not about doing less. It is about leading better. Hobbies create clarity, patience, and empathy. They strengthen decision making and improve perspective.
From my experience, the strongest startup leaders are not those who work the longest hours. They are the ones who step back, recharge, and return with focus. Hockey, hiking, and exploring food have shaped how I lead. They remind me that better decisions come from a balanced mind.
Leadership starts with how you live, not just how you work.