How my hobby has taught me the most essential skills in business.

In my 13 years of being a horseback riding instructor, I have learned invaluable leadership and management skills. Influencing and motivating others is a major passion of mine, and becoming a qualified instructor has allowed me to live out this passion. I’ve had so many great mentors in my career, which is why I get so much joy out of inspiring others.

Foggy early mornings, riders running around getting their horses groomed and ready for the lesson that I was about to give them, there is never a dull moment. I delegate tasks to my team, and we set up the jump course I have prepared. For me, delegating is about keeping the team on track and the end goal in mind. These typical scenes are crazy, and the high energy only fuels my love for the sport.

Establishing a firm priority system became my specialty. First safety, then learning, then fun. It isn’t just about riding; it’s about teaching veterinary knowledge and giving back to my community as well. Knowing how to care for your animal is as crucial as being able to ride it. Mentoring these riders so they can be the best version of themselves is my primary motivation.

Lesson planning always ensures a smoother ride. I always pay close attention to the strengths and weaknesses of my riders and plan accordingly. I create objectives for each rider, and they are clear from the beginning. My students know that impatience does not breed success; it is earned through hard work and dedication.

Being able to quickly and logically make decisions became a must-have skill. Having a group of 5 riders all together, their horses feeling the hype of galloping in a pack: this group setting could quickly spiral out of control if I wasn’t careful as the leader. Placing the horses in the correct order, splitting up the group, even having riders do an emergency dismount, these were all choices I had to make on the fly without hesitation.

But then comes the motivational and inspirational aspects of the job.

Helping riders realize their full potential, reaching their goals, and seeing the smiles on their faces brings me immense joy. I had one student who was terrified of jumping with her horse over logs and creeks in an open field. She kept yelling, “I CAN’T DO IT. I JUST CAN’T.” I told her that despite what she thought, she actually COULD, and believing in herself was all she needed to succeed. Fast forward 20 minutes, I was watching her jump, and she was almost unrecognizable when she rode up to me, crying and smiling. I asked her what made the difference, and she told me, “You were right! I believed I could do it, and then I did it!”

Moments like that are why I love opportunities for leadership and mentoring. Inspiring and motivating others brings me as much joy as their success does to them. Critical skills for any leader include: influencing and motivating others, delegating, establishing a firm priority system, planning, and decision making. Every team deserves a leader that inspires each team member to do their best. In today's fast paced society, empowering others and giving credit where credit is due will set your team apart from the rest.