“It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more ‘manhood’ to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and the spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind” — Alex Karras
The world of Venture Capital and venture-backed start-ups is definitely a world of “alpha males” (even the females!) There is a huge value placed on toughness and force and “the ability to get things done”. But how much of that is really because that style is effective…and how much just because everyone is afraid of losing respect if they look “weak”?
I have watched conflicts arise and get worse (when I know people really want to work together), watched people draw false and very negative conclusions about another (who I know really wants to be liked), seen deals fall apart and people lose their jobs when it really doesn’t have to happen…all because someone is afraid of not looking strong. In truth, in all those instances, true strength would have been being honest, saying “I’m sorry” or “I don’t know” or “I was wrong”.
I have also seen leaders who had the courage (and knew when) to reveal themselves in service of modeling humility and the ability to make mistakes, who weren’t afraid to show that they cared, who had enough confidence to admit when they didn’t know (but would figure it out). Those were the leaders I thought were really strong.
Can you be the one to “buck the trend”? To show real courage?
