Here's how you can boost your emotional intelligence as a venture capitalist through self-reflection.

Boosting emotional intelligence as a venture capitalist through self-reflection involves several key practices. Start by regularly assessing your reactions and decisions, identifying emotional triggers and patterns. Engage in active listening during meetings to understand others' perspectives. From my experience, keeping a reflective journal helps track your emotional responses and growth. Seek feedback from colleagues and mentors to gain external insights. This self-awareness enhances interpersonal skills, fosters better relationships with founders, and leads to more informed investment decisions.

An integral part of emotional intelligence is the control of emotions. Akin to trading in financial markets, a person should practice to keep emotions in check. The emotion can then be channelised to help pursue the goal. This is called Passion and more often than not Passion leads to excellence !

Three things to consider 1) first do no harm 2) it's about right outcomes not being right 3) understand first before being understood. The choice to be an active communicator that prioritises listening as a key skill is nb

Boosting emotional intelligence as a VC involves mindfulness, understanding your emotional triggers, and reflecting on your interactions. Seek feedback for self-improvement and cultivate empathy to understand founders' perspectives. Commit to continuous learning and personal growth. Regular self-reflection can enhance emotional intelligence, leading to improved decision-making and greater success.

"Be water my friend; if water is in a cup it will become the cup, if water is in a pot it will become the pot..." Bruce Lee said this quote and I would say it speaks to the required adaptability to be successful in venture; as you're going to be changing from being in rooms with founders, to LPs, to team members, etc... How you show up will determine a multitude of things and could determine the trajectory of success you will have in this industry. Check out these books to grow that EI: - Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Jean Greaves (an absolute MUST...this will give you an assessment as well as point out your super powers) - Managing Oneself by Peter F. Drucker Be Water My Friend!

Have good self reflection questions. Some to consider: - What did I notice about how I showed up today? - Did I have any feelings or experiences that led me to change how I showed up? In those moments, how did others respond to me? - Did I do or say anything that did not feel authentic? - Where and what did I notice about others that informed my approach to the meeting, interaction etc? - Do I have any repeating or nagging thoughts or feelings?

Cultivating a journaling habit is a powerful way for venture capitalists to boost their emotional intelligence. It allows you to explore your reactions to different situations, identify patterns in your decision-making, and understand your emotional triggers.

I encourage founders, as well as VCs, to utilize OKRs to set goals. Here's what that looks like for a VC that wants to improve their emotional intelligence: Objective 1: Strengthen Empathy and Social Awareness Key Result 1.1: Volunteer quarterly for community service projects related to entrepreneurship or education. Key Result 1.2: Conduct bi-monthly empathy-building exercises with portfolio company founders. Key Result 1.3: Attend at least two industry conferences or networking events annually with a focus on relationship building.

Beyond the aforementioned intense, high-stakes meetings, mindfulness significantly enhances one's ability to clearly and deeply observe a founder or fund manager during a pitch. Ultimately, at the early stages, investing is a bet heavily placed on the individual. Being present and maintaining a clear mind improves your ability to connect and assess whether this is the best person in the world to bring the company’s vision to life. For almost two years now, Transcendental Meditation has been incredibly beneficial for me in this regard. It feels natural and organic, not reliant on a guided app, but everyone has their own preferences.

The key is to work on emotional intelligence so long that it becomes second nature to you. Mindfulness meditation is a proven technique for boosting self-awareness and emotional regulation, which comes into use when making major decisions or entering high-stakes meetings. Approaching these situations with a calm and centred mindset ensures that responses are thoughtful and measured, rather than reactive.

Adding more to this, mindfulness involves being fully present and aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without judgment. It also promotes active listening and empathy, helping you build stronger connections with entrepreneurs and team members.

A friendly reminder to all my fellow venture capitalists: you are not the most important person in the room! True empathy means embracing a “founder-first” mindset. It’s crucial to view the business, challenges, opportunities, and founder well-being from the founder’s perspective.

These exercises involve putting yourself in the shoes of others to better understand their perspectives and emotions. In my experience, practicing active listening during meetings, taking the time to ask thoughtful questions, and reflecting on the experiences of entrepreneurs can deepen your empathy.

Studies show reading fiction can boost empathy by letting readers experience the world through others' eyes, better understanding their motivations and emotions. While not all fiction is equal, adding a few minutes of literary fiction to daily reading can be a rewarding way to broaden one's perspective and connect with others.

My daughter is a somatic education expert. She taught me the trick to experience my body. Where am I feeling this? how do I feel this? By seeking the location of what part of my body that is stimulated, I momentarily distract my brain from interfering. I also take a pencil and scribble or walk around the office. Distracting my brain with movement or temporarily concentrating in feelings relaxes my neurons and then I can explore my emotions: excitement, frustration, joy, fear, surprise, etc. Emotional inteligence starts with authenticity. We don't have to say everything that comes to our mind, but we do need to take the time to listen to it and respect it.

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response-- make emotions work for you, instead of against you. Emotional intelligence is vital in negotiating deals and managing relationships. That deep breath before speaking is crucial... I have five recommendations: - Practice active listening to fully understand others, rather than respond. - Tailor communication to meet the specific needs of your audience. - Lead with empathy, considering different perspectives. - Reflect daily on your interactions. - Seek feedback on your emotional responses and adapt.

Boosting emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for venture capitalists. The journey begins with self-awareness, where you gain an understanding of your own emotions and how they shape your thoughts and actions. This includes evaluating your strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledging the effects of your actions on others. The next step is self-regulation, which is all about learning to manage impulsive feelings and behaviours. This can be achieved by dedicating time for mindfulness or meditation. Motivation is another fundamental aspect of EI. Having clarity about your goals and comprehending their significance to you can aid in overcoming obstacles and sustaining a positive mindset.

Improving Social Skills Effective communication and relationship-building are key components of social skills. Self-reflection can help you evaluate your interactions and identify areas for improvement. Ask yourself: How effectively did I communicate my ideas today? Did I actively listen to others, or did I dominate the conversation? How well did I resolve conflicts or manage disagreements? By analyzing your social interactions, you can work on enhancing your communication techniques, such as being more concise, asking open-ended questions, and providing constructive feedback.