Let’s discuss something that often goes unmentioned but is incredibly important: politeness.
I’ve noticed a strong connection between the most successful founders and investors and the way they treat others with respect in their interactions. It’s something that stands out and can make a significant difference in outcomes.
Why do I bring this up? Because, for example, when people like investors or founders, are late to meetings, it can convey a lack of respect for the other person’s time. It can create a negative impression that might undermine the purpose of the meeting, as it suggests the person being met with doesn’t value their time.
Another instance: a VC I was on a call with the other day was, quite literally, picking his nose mid pitch and texting on his phone. And this is someone who booked a call with me asked me to pitch them too! This is not someone I’d want on our cap table, so if they offered to invest, I would decline. This is just another example of how being rude loses you business opportunities.
I’ve also seen candidates react poorly when they’re turned down for jobs, or founders get frustrated when investors or other opportunities, like the events I run, don’t go their way. While understandable, it’s not the path to building positive relationships or securing future opportunities. Ironically, if they acted professionally, most of the time, that door is still open for them later! Being rude closes it permanently.
Being polite and respectful shows professionalism, and people want to work with professionals. I’d argue that a large part of why deals get done is because people enjoy working with each other and find reasons to make things happen. The opposite is also true if someone is difficult to work with.
The lesson here is simple: treat others how you’d like to be treated. It’s surprising to me that this still needs to be said, but some people seem unaware of how much a lack of basic manners can harm their careers. Maybe it’s the Canadian in me, but politeness goes a long way!
Connor J. Wilson
Founder, CEO
Pilot
Originally posted on 🔗Linkedin🔗