We all have a happy place. For me, it’s about the speed, the height, and the conqueror’s rush of a great adventure ride. Give me a fast rollercoaster, a stomach-lurching drop, or a swing that touches the sky, and I’m instantly the happiest person in the world.

It took me a while to realize that this feeling isn’t just a love for theme parks; it’s a pure, unvarnished expression of my core leadership style.

The intense rush of a thrilling ride is a perfect metaphor for how I approach challenges in business and life. That sense of elation, that feeling of having “conquered the world” is rooted in a distinct personality profile that drives powerful leadership: High Sensation Seeking (HSS).

The Connection: From Coaster Thrills to Executive Skills

If you find yourself drawn to the most intense rides, you’re not an adrenaline junkie; you’re a Thrill-Seeking Leader. Here is why that exhilarating feeling is directly transferable to a high-impact leadership style:

1. The Proactive Mindset

The moment you strap into that seat, you know you’re committing to a journey of peak intensity.

• On the ride: You embrace the loss of control and the physical intensity, trusting the system to take you to the edge.
• In leadership: You don’t wait for things to happen. You proactively seek out complexity and challenge, viewing a high-stakes, “swing-in-the-air” project not as a threat, but as the ultimate opportunity for joy and accomplishment. You are motivated by novelty and growth, and you lead by confidently pushing the boundaries of what’s been done before.

2. The Fresh Air of a Clear View

On a high-flying ride, you get a unique perspective; a sweeping, clear view of the world before the big drop.

• On the ride: The speed and height literally clear your head, offering a burst of fresh air and focus.
• In leadership: You have a high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity, and you are less prone to being overwhelmed by chaos. You can quickly filter the noise to see the big picture, the grand strategy and your ability to remain calm under pressure is your superpower when others are frozen by fear.

3. The Conqueror’s Joy

The moment you pull into the station, heart pounding and hands raised, is pure, unadulterated happiness; the feeling that you’ve faced the ultimate test and won.

• On the ride: The rush of overcoming a physical and psychological test delivers an intense wave of positive emotion.
• In leadership: This isn’t recklessness; it’s a profound need for accomplishment. You are motivated by the success of mastering a challenge, not just the risk itself. This drive translates into a leadership style focused on setting audacious goals, inspiring teams to charge headlong into the fray, and instilling the confidence to believe that even the steepest climb will lead to an exhilarating victory.

Lead with Full Throttle

Ultimately, the pure happiness we find on a roller coaster is the feeling of being completely engaged, alive, and uninhibited.

If your leadership style feels like a high-speed adventure, embrace it. It means you thrive where others hesitate, you are happiest at the edge of possibility, and you are hardwired to chase the next big challenge because for you, the biggest risk is boredom.

So, hold on tight, take a deep breath of that fresh air, and lead your team with full throttle. The world is waiting to be conquered.