Recognizing and Overcoming Projection: From Absorbing to Repelling

Posted on

Projection is a defense mechanism where we deny things about ourselves that we find intolerable by perceiving them in others instead.

We blame others for our thoughts, feelings or actions by imagining they think, feel or act in a way that proxies our own intolerable behaviors.

A partner who lies or cheats might constantly accuse their partner of lying or cheating. An executive who executes their role incompetently might blame their organization’s bad results on other executives or their team.

Read More "Recognizing and Overcoming Projection: From Absorbing to Repelling"

Working backwards from Winning

Posted on

Startups win by growing fast. As Paul Graham’s startup = growth essay explains, “A startup is a company designed to grow fast.”

VC-backed startups are designed to “eat capital and shit growth.” Growth expectations create a new definition of winning at each round of venture capital that your startup raises. Most businesses can’t scale rapidly based on large amounts of additional capital, which is why most businesses aren’t suitable for venture capital.

Read More "Working backwards from Winning"

How to Build Founding Teams That VCs Want to Invest In

Posted on

No VC pattern matching is more well honed than the assessment of founding teams. Last year I surveyed a list of top VCs on what they think are the three most important aspects of successful founding teams. I compiled all the responses into a founding team builder. The tool is meant for founders, but it’s equally useful to VCs and employees considering investing in or joining a startup.

Read More "How to Build Founding Teams That VCs Want to Invest In"

Timeblocking: Calendar Scheduling and Time Management to be Happier and More Produtive

Posted on

Everyone wants to maximize productivity and work-life balance with better calendar management and scheduling. Over the years I’ve learned two key tricks. First, plan with the calendar instead of a task list because the calendar controls real life time allocation. Second, manage inbound and meetings within predefined calendar blocks instead of reacting, because calendar whitespace will always default to what other people want you to do via meetings and inboxes.

Read More "Timeblocking: Calendar Scheduling and Time Management to be Happier and More Produtive"