Hobbies and personal interests: Do they play a role in professional life? Some list them on their résumé or refer to them in job interviews. A few turn their hobby into a job right away. Not every job offers the opportunity to include personal interests or even hobbies, even though they can play an important role.
If certain skills and knowledge associated with a personal interest or hobby can be transferred to work, this can increase motivation and creativity and help people feel more engaged and enthusiastic. Last but not least, interest-related work activities can also lead to a better work-life balance.
For a long time, our interview partner of the month harbored the desire to become a veterinarian. But Yvonne Richard didn't turn her passion for animals into a job. Since September 2022, the former Head of Sales and Marketing has been Chief People Officer (CPO) at the refrigerated and frozen products manufacturer KADI AG. The company produces around 270 articles, which are used every day in over 12,000 restaurants in Switzerland. As an independent company in the food industry with its headquarters in Langenthal, Switzerland, the KADI with its great innovative strength and high product quality on the market.
After more than 15 years with the company, Yvonne Richard knows the industry and corporate culture inside out. As Head of Human Resources & Organizational Development, she now plays a key role in ensuring that the forward-looking HR department develops and implements strategies for employee retention and recruitment. The qualified business economist FH with a Master of Science in Corporate Business Development ensures that KADI AG finds and recruits the right employees.
Yvonne Richard continues to live out her love of animals and her hobby in her free time: as a volunteer in the riding therapy at the Zollikofen School for the Blind. At first glance, it may seem that working with horses and her job don't have much in common, but on closer inspection there are some parallels: Clear and effective communication, high observation skills, patience and perseverance as well as teamwork are crucial in both situations.
Get an inside look at Yvonne Richard's day-to-day professional life and what advice is still used today in all major professional decisions.
Ms. Richard, if you had taken a different path when you were younger, what would you have become?
"I wanted to be a veterinarian for a long time. But then I decided while I was still a teenager that working with or for animals was something I wanted to do in my spare time. And that's exactly the path I'm still following today."
What is your favorite way to start your day?
"If at all possible, not too early. And, regardless of the time of day, preferably with a good coffee. And of course, you can't miss checking the daily news, the calendar and your e-mails."
What does success mean to you personally?
"Being happy. In a professional context, this includes enjoying what I do. Being curious and learning new things. Achieving set goals, being able to shape and further develop subject areas. I also find it both exciting and enriching to pass on knowledge."
What would you work for free for a week?
"I have been involved as a volunteer in riding therapy at the Zollikofen School for the Blind for over 20 years. If I were to add it all up, I would probably come up with several weeks, if not months, of free work."
What was the best professional advice you ever received?
"To ask myself the following question in each case: How would you decide if it were your company? I was already confronted with this question as a junior product manager. In the meantime, I have internalized this advice and automatically ask myself this question for all important decisions."
We would like to sincerely thank Ms. Richard for her contribution to this article.
This interview was conducted in writing.
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
