Unlike a founder focused on one company, a VC operates at the nexus of disparate stakeholder contexts (LPs, portfolio crises, new pitches). This creates a unique 'whiplash' that requires deliberate systems for prioritization and mental management to be effective.
Every new investor brings a unique 'superpower' from their past experience. The key is to lean on that strength while consciously avoiding the assumption that it translates to all areas of investing. Success requires augmenting inevitable blind spots with partners or an external network.
While it's crucial to listen to markets and clients, founders must also be prepared to stick to their convictions when investors, who may not be specialists in their niche, offer conflicting advice. Knowing when to listen and when to hold firm is a key startup skill.
Strict investment theses (e.g., "only second-time founders") are merely guidelines. The high volume of meetings required in venture capital provides the essential context and pattern recognition needed to identify exceptional outliers that defy rigid heuristics.