One thing that I learned to do early in my career as a CEO was to set a 'social contract' with anyone new whom I'd work closely with. I found this to be a useful way to set rules/expectations on how to work together.

I wanted to share what I tell founders in our social contract:

1/ The first thing I commit to is blunt honesty--but always assuming that the direct feedback is coming from a good place in our hearts. I don't like being surprised or surprising anyone else, so committing to hard/fast honesty is a solid means of getting to transparency.

2/ Next, I assume that whenever I speak to founders, things are going badly. Why? Because every company I ever ran felt like a shit show: I am an imposter; not good enough; building a house of cards.

This is what winning looks like. And, I am here to help you problem solve.

3/ Finally, I tell founders that I give them permission to lose our money.

If they lose honorably but we gain conviction in each other as a team, then let's try it again with another company.

Life is a multi-turn game. Eventually winners will win.

The goal for this VC-to-founder social contract is to feel safe, honest, and authentic to one another.

The startup journey is already fraught with stress, so why layer on more stress of NOT feeling like you can bring your true self to our relationship?