Zack KanterVerified account

This assumes investors cannot be disrespectful and conflict avoidant at the same time?

I think some know how to do this very well, others have not picked up the skill at all :(. I'm interested in people's opinions on the second type of investor.

I like direct -- BUT -- the exception is when the negative feedback is about the team.

Same. But I'm wondering if I should take more reputational risk by commenting on team (while also trying to figure out how to deliver the message so that it doesn't create reputational risk).

1/Depends. If these are portfolio founders, then give all feedback - it’s very important. You (Leo) are at ~no risk of getting a reputation for being founder-unfriendly :) And any fallout is more than erased by founders who will appreciate getting rare, hard feedback.

2/If these are founders who are pitching you, then that’s a much harder question. You don’t have the rapport yet and reputational risk is much higher. People you reject seem way more likely to warp story, and less likely to be able to internalize feedback.