"A common trait"- Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary on the shared qualities of investors and entrepreneurs

Kevin O’Leary, investor, entrepreneur, and Shark Tank personality, identifies a common quality among successful managers, investors, and entrepreneurs. In a video interview clip posted to his Instagram account on December 16, 2024, O’Leary said,

“Great managers, great investors, great entrepreneurs, you're going to find a common trait, and you're going to find out it's something in the arts or it's something in sports or it's something there's nothing to do with business.”

He explained that these non-business activities demonstrate discipline, balance, and a strong commitment to long-term pursuits.

Kevin O’Leary emphasized that understanding this quality allows him to assess individuals’ abilities to succeed in professional environments.

He added that his frequent question, “What else do you do?” offers a more profound understanding of a person's character, extending beyond the implications of a resume.

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The shared traits of successful investors and entrepreneurs: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary asks, "What else do you do?"

The importance of balancing creativity and business

O’Leary underscored the need for a balance between creativity and the structured nature of business. In the interview, he stated,

“You need the balance in your brain between the chaos of the arts and the discipline of business, which is very binary: either you make money or you lose it.”

The Shark Tank investor explained that while business focuses on measurable outcomes, such as profit and loss, the arts and sports introduce flexibility, creativity, and mental balance.

O’Leary further highlighted that effective managers and entrepreneurs often engage in activities that contrast the rigid nature of business. He stated,

“I found the greatest managers for me are ex-dancers or artists or archers or, you know, soccer players…where they have some discipline in their life that they really struggled with early on.”

He explained that these early struggles build the persistence and focus required to excel in professional roles.

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Early disciplines and long-term commitment

O’Leary emphasized that individuals who engage in structured activities over an extended period often display greater discipline and effectiveness in business. He provided an example, stating,

“When you start dancing at four years old and you're still dancing when you're 32, that's a big deal. You're going in every day, and it's in your head, and that makes you very, very effective.”

The Shark Tank investor explained that the long-term nature of these pursuits develops qualities such as consistency, perseverance, and mental resilience.

According to O’Leary, the ability to commit to a non-business activity over decades reflects a level of discipline that translates into professional success.

He highlighted that such activities require individuals to overcome challenges, learn structure, and maintain focus—skills that are also essential in business.

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The significance of “What else do you do?”

O’Leary explained that when evaluating individuals, he asks a specific question: “What else do you do?”

“You sound great on paper, but tell me about yourself,” he stated.

He underscored that the answer to this question often reveals important qualities such as discipline, drive, and the ability to balance different areas of life. O’Leary highlighted that business skills alone do not provide a full picture of an individual’s potential.

The Shark Tank investor said that things done in sports, arts, or other structured activities can exemplify a person's ability to handle challenges and shine under duress.

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Don't miss the new episodes of Shark Tank, which airs Fridays at 8 PM ET on ABC. Catch up anytime streaming on Hulu and watch entrepreneurs pitch ideas to Kevin O'Leary and the rest of the Sharks.