Well-Roundedness
Growing up, my parents overly emphasized this idea of being a “well-rounded person.” From the age of four onward, they drilled into me that to live a full life, you had to focus on five things:
Do well in school (most important).
Play a sport.
Play an instrument.
Speak another language.
Be a kind person.
(My dad is Eastern European)
At the time, these seemed like simple rules. But looking back, I realize there was a deeper meaning to each of these lessons. Tennis wasn’t just about playing a sport; it was a way to challenge and discipline my body. Piano wasn’t just about practicing scales; it was about nurturing creativity and learning patience. Speaking another language expanded my world and taught me humility—reminding me that I couldn’t expect the whole world to just speak English. And kindness was about building emotional understanding and connecting with others.
Each of these activities represented something bigger: the physical, creative, intellectual, and emotional dimensions of growth. My parents simplified these concepts into activities I could comprehend as a child, but they were teaching me how to grow into a multidimensional person.
Redefining Well-Roundedness
As I’ve grown older, I’ve started to think more deeply about this idea and how it’s evolved in my life. Recently, I came across a tweet that reframed the concept of well-roundedness in a way that felt incredibly relevant to me:
“They are the tinkerers. The readers, writers, and artists. The curious neophiles. The multidimensional autodidacts. The rangy polymaths. The well-rounded citizens.”
This tweet resonated because it captured a modern vision of well-roundedness—one that is less about structured categories and more about curiosity, adaptability, and intellectual breadth. Three of the terms stood out to me:
Multidimensional Autodidact: Someone who learns through self-study, exploring not only cognitive skills but also emotional and social dimensions of growth.
Curious Neophile: A person who loves novelty and actively seeks out new experiences and ideas.
Polymath: Someone with knowledge across a wide range of subjects who can connect ideas from different fields.
These traits felt personal because they reflect how I’ve come to approach life. Today, being well-rounded means focusing deeply on my main pursuit—work—but also staying flexible, curious, and open to growth in other areas. It’s about traveling to experience new cultures, meeting people with different perspectives, immersing myself in creative works like film, music, and art, and reading about history or philosophy to expand my mind.
Why It Matters
This approach feels especially relevant in today’s world, particularly in business. My parents were right to emphasize the importance of excelling in one area—it’s the foundation for confidence and success. But equally important is the ability to explore other dimensions of yourself and connect seemingly unrelated dots.
Core Excellence: Being great at your main pursuit—whether that’s work, leadership, or a creative passion—is foundational.
Curiosity and Adaptability: Staying open to new ideas and experiences fosters creativity and helps you thrive in a constantly changing world.
Broad Perspective: A polymathic approach—learning across disciplines—allows you to see connections others might miss and solve problems in unique ways.
The people who thrive today are multidimensional. They combine focus and mastery in their core work with curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.
How I’m Trying to Stay Well-Rounded
For me, staying well-rounded now means continuing to honor the deeper lessons my parents instilled in me, but also adapting them to my adult life:
Focusing on Core Work: My career is my primary focus, and excelling in it requires depth and dedication.
Challenging Myself Creatively: Immersing myself in art, music, and film sharpens my imagination and keeps me inspired.
Exploring the World: Traveling and meeting new people broadens my perspective and reminds me there’s always more to learn.
Studying Widely: Reading history, technology, and philosophy expands my understanding and keeps me intellectually curious.
Balancing Depth with Breadth: Mastery in one area is important, but so is maintaining the flexibility to explore other passions and challenges.
As a child, my parents gave me a framework that made sense for my age: a set of activities that symbolized physical, creative, intellectual, and emotional growth. But as an adult, I’ve come to realize that well-roundedness isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you approach life. It’s about striving for excellence in your main pursuit while staying curious and adaptable, always finding ways to challenge yourself and grow.
In the end, living a full life means embracing both depth and breadth—excelling in what matters most while staying open to everything else the world has to offer.