Featuring courage in Venture Capital and more. Every week the entire team participates in sharing lessons learned about the industry and their unique perspectives as interns, fellows, general partners and advisors. The lessons shared invite us all to build a common understanding of the Venture Capital Landscape and reflect on ways we can help its evolution.
Alex Asemi
Crutch Words – What I’ve discovered is that not using
crutch words is much more challenging than I anticipated. It became particularly evident to me when using the tracker; I had to make a conscious effort to refrain from using them. It’s strange because I didn’t think I said them much, but I became aware of it when I had to actively stop myself.
#TVCFellows
Omar Al Ramlawi
Communication Improvement – I found myself
becoming overly conscious of using filler words, and I shared this observation with my friends. Now, we’re all making an effort to speak more slowly, which has become quite amusing. Observing a Startup founders’ ability to speak at length without these fillers is truly inspiring. Their example has influenced my career approach, emphasizing clear communication. I’ve realized that speaking effectively is a skill worth mastering, echoing Alex’s sentiment about its difficulty.
#Inspiration
Marwan Safi
Adopting Techniques – There are two things I’ve learned
and am trying to adopt. Firstly, watching Jad present deals impresses me. He simplifies complex business concepts into simple analogies that make great sense, which I find to be a skill and an art. Secondly, I’ve noticed Rama’s inviting tone when making suggestions. It’s so pleasant that people readily accept her ideas. Overall, I’m intrigued by their approaches and aim to incorporate similar techniques into my own practices.
#PersonalDevelopment
Quinn Novels
Be Confident – In exploring filler words, I’ve noticed a
correlation: it’s easier to avoid them when discussing a topic you’re familiar with or passionate about, suggesting a link between the knowledge of the topic and speech clarity. I’ve made a conscious effort to listen to others speak, identifying a trend, especially among women. Often, our voices rise at the end of statements, unintentionally conveying uncertainty or that we’re asking a question. I challenge everyone, especially women, to be mindful of this habit and strive to maintain a confident tone, regardless of voice pitch. Confidence in speech is crucial.
#Confidence
Omar El Khalaf
Take Your Time – In my academic and professional
journey, I’ve long believed that speaking quickly signifies confidence, aiming to rush through information. However, I’ve come to realize that speaking slowly allows me time to think, reducing the need for filler words like “now” and “so.” It is a key takeaway, and I intend to focus on improving this aspect of my communication in the future.
#VCLife
Rakesh Sharma
Wording Matters – I’ve absorbed a lesson from Rama,
particularly regarding adopting Noam Chomsky‘s style of communication. Rama encouraged us to favor “could” and “would” over “can’t,” “should,” and “will.” Integrating this into my daily communication over the past year has been enriching. It adds a nice touch to language use, and I would encourage everyone else to do the same.
#TransformVC
Allah Ghosn
Grateful Collaboration – Being part of TransformVC has
deepened my sense of appreciation. Having worked with numerous teams, encountering people like Raed and Rama is rare. Debates here are characterized by respectful sharing of concerns and thoughts. The atmosphere fosters progress without discord. I find comfort in observing constructive debates without tension. It’s refreshing to resolve disagreements without resorting to hostility, unlike experiences where aggression is more common. I genuinely value this collaborative and respectful environment.
#Appreciation
Kelly Fleming
Networking & Communication – I’ve learned the
importance of networking and communicating your background effectively. Communicating my background and representing Transform VC has been crucial. It helps align with relevant individuals and enhances networking success. Networking can be challenging but applying past lessons has been enlightening. I simply show up and attend events and this has helped expand my network effectively.
#Networking
Bashar Alallawi
Data & Communication – I learned that one of the best
ways we can improve our communication is by focusing on data. Because decisions are based on charts, evidence, graphs and metrics. Numbers can tell a story. It’s how you utilize the information and use it to your advantage.
#Data
Jad Khattib
Delicate Critique – I learned this lesson from Raed. It
revolves around navigating delicate criticism. While evaluating deals, I sometimes disagreed with Raed’s approach, but one instance stood out where his critique was assertive yet constructive. Despite treading a fine line between being rude and critically insightful, Raed managed to maintain a positive tone. He often clarified his intentions as playing the devil’s advocate, which recipients appreciated. This experience underscores the importance of carefully navigating such fine lines in communication.
#TransformVC
Raed Masri
Establishing Presence – During my time as a tech founder
in Canada, media outreach wasn’t necessary; I was regularly approached for interviews. However, upon relocating to California, I realized the importance of proactive engagement with the media, thanks to insights from Rama and the team. In competitive markets, it’s crucial to pitch our ideas and share our story for visibility. As a result, we’re now beginning a social media campaign to amplify our presence.
#VCLife
Jennifer Hatch
Speak Comfortably – This week working with a speech
coach and Rama on speaking techniques we covered the importance of establishing comfort with an audience. This comfort level significantly influences my natural speaking style and is crucial for effective communication. When I’m engaged and at ease with my audience, speaking becomes effortless and devoid of filler words. Nervousness can manifest physically, tightening the body and constricting breathing, hindering speech. Speaking effectively entails both mental comfort and physical relaxation.
#WordsOfWisdom
Afreen Aman
Be Holistic – This week, during the deal evaluation call, I
gained a significant insight thanks to Jad.Typically, my focus has been primarily on technical aspects, assigning lesser importance to factors like marketing and operations. Jad’s method broadened my perspective, highlighting the importance of considering various elements. I now recognize areas that I may have previously overlooked.
#Appreciation