[this is a super rough note I spent about 30m on]
These are some views I’m exploring on behaviors and how they lead to epic things
- think really epic things result often because of a bunch of smaller behaviours put together in unique ways.
Like “build a massive company” is combination of leadership and engineering etc. which breaks down into how you handle day to day conversations and communicate your thoughts and plan for the future.
If you change a few daily recurring behaviors it can then compound a ton. And so doing epic things is really a function of figuring out the right behaviours and how to internalize them.
- I think a lot of behaviors are just habits that can be learned.
my experience is it takes a few months to completely change a core behavior: like going from agreeable to disagreeable or emotionally reactive to calm and collected
It may not be worth the effort short term vs just partnering with those who compliment
And brain chemistry plays a factor
But my lived experience so far with many concrete behaviors is I have learned to change them over a few months of intentional focus, even the stuff I thought was not changeable.
- Monkey see monkey do
I’ve worked fairly close with founders who’ve made billion dollar companies
Seeing behind the scenes what these people do it feels a bit more tangible and I pick it up way faster than intellectually trying
So I’m tracking a list of the things below that stood out to me as “oh this is a rare behavior and probably helped you win”
But I’m not sure if reading it is enough, I think the brain really learns to internalize behaviors it experiences in practical settings and to copy demonstrated behaviors others have
Harvard’s business school program is basically designed for this. It simulates a bunch of business situations in a group setting to help train your behaviour as an executive. I think it works way better than just reading and this is part of why they can charge so much despite much of their courses being public online already. Publishing in this case seems more of a marketing tool to show they are credible and get more people to apply. I assume it is similar with YC - you’ll learn way more being in it around the people vs just reading about it online but reading all the info online is a great way to show you what you’ll internalize if you join.
- Behaviours that seem unique and extra visible among successful people scaling companies I’ve worked with
If a thing you want doesn’t go your way just shrug it off and ask questions to understand why
Be super comfortable getting roasted/insulted, online, in person - just ask questions to clarify, walk away if its not helpful, don’t expend emotional energy on most conflicts.
be able to list what the top thing on your mind is today, this week, this month, or other time frame
If you disagree with something say you disagree but neutrally. Be comfortable having disagreement without turning it into heated conflict.
If a person says a thing you disagree with just be curious and excited to learn more
Say no thanks when they don’t want to do something but respectful or thankful of the request
Simplify your thought to 1 line in layman terms, if it’s more complicated learn to make it simpler
If you’re in a meeting and deciding on something cycle through everyone at the end to confirm if they felt heard before you lock in the decision
If you have an idea and you can begin it in a couple minutes just do it now. Call the person. Send the msg. Draft the design.
Start important conversations with "What's on your mind about X?" rather than presenting your view first
When joining any conversation, ask "What context am I missing?" before contributing
When someone raises a concern, immediately pull out your notebook/doc or phone and write it down. This shows you take their input seriously and helps track important feedback. Don’t ignore feedback.
Leave every important convo asking “do we trust eachother more or less. do we feel closer or more distant”. Document why. Business is more who you know not what you know.
If you talk to a customer or an investor and they aren't a fit ask if they know anyone + figure out when they may be a fit and write it down. be comfortable with the fact majority of pitches you make in life result in rejection and just be comfortable taking swings.
Conveying an optimistic and inspiring view of the future despite the present not being good, especially to hire top talent and fundraise