Three conversations happened recently.
One, an LP told me that he pit two fund managers against each other by asking their shared portfolio founder, “If you could only choose one, who would you keep as an LP?” Then went on to relay that answer back to both of the respective managers.
The manager who lost the vote shrugged and didn’t feel the need to really engage in the ragebait. The one who won the vote ended up making some remarks along the lines of “I don’t see why anyone would ever want to work with [insert other GP’s name].”
Two, similarly, I met a GP for the first time last week who pitched me a strategy he thought was unique. To which I responded with, “What are your thoughts on [insert VC firms with similar theses]?” He replied with a whole list of reasons of “why X, Y, and Z should never be in business in the first place.”
Three, I caught up with another Fund I GP earlier this week. Second conversation, who pitched me a strategy he thought no one else was doing. I asked the same question, listing some competitors with the same strategy, stage, and focus. He said he’d never heard of them, then asked me to repeat those names. He Googled each. Scrolled through their portfolio and website and LinkedIns. Then started his response with, “I guess I’m not as unique as I thought I was. Here’s what I think they’re doing right…”
All three conversations carry notes of similarity. Each either directly or indirectly ending with one of two paths. In the first one with the LP, do I agree with his method of execution? Not really. But nevertheless, he received the answer he was seeking.
Yet in all three, I can’t help but be reminded of something Peter Cullen (who’s best known for being the voice of Optimus Prime from Transformers) said.
It’s not immediately apparent on the relevance. But he says, as the inspiration for how he voiced Optimus Prime, “Be strong enough to be gentle.”
True strength and mastery has no need for infighting. No need to demean others. No need to push others down only so that they will look better by comparison. Most Midas investors I know are not bragging about the fact they’re on the Midas List, at least I haven’t heard Vinod or Marc brag about it. They’re on the Midas List because they can pick great companies. It’s not that being on the Midas List allows them to pick great companies.
Those that are the best of their craft, across industries, and that I’ve been lucky enough to be in their presence are both gentle and generous with their learnings. What’s proprietary is the execution not the idea. And by being generous and gentle, you end up commanding a lot more respect and admiration. If you’re truly stronger than others, you know how to control your strength. And only use it, when necessary. Most situations do not demand the necessity.
You need not prove your strength to a flower. Neither a butterfly. You need not prove your strength to a baby. To a feather. The inability to control one’s strength for the situation required can only exist in the absence of maturity. And the absence of mastery.
Photo by Reign Abarintos on Unsplash
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The views expressed on this blogpost are for informational purposes only. None of the views expressed herein constitute legal, investment, business, or tax advice. Any allusions or references to funds or companies are for illustrative purposes only, and should not be relied upon as investment recommendations. Consult a professional investment advisor prior to making any investment decisions.