There’s a myriad of considerations when investing in a startup but the “People” variable of the “People. Product. Potential” formula is by far the greatest and most important.
A person’s curiosity factor is one of the top traits to look for when correlating for success. Like it or not, building a company (and life) is hard. The curious ones are able to tap into a different reservoir of knowledge gleaned from constantly observing other worlds and businesses. Pattern matching outside the box pushes people through tough road blocks and lean times to think creatively about how to solve a problem.
Curious people are always asking smart questions, looking, poking, watching, and reading about various topics. They have odd loves and hobbies. They are not worried about what others think of their passions or interests. They move according to their heart and passion which drives them to accomplish goals that have zero correlation to fame, money or startup sexiness. It’s hard just to explain how important that last sentence is to success.
Can one learn to be curious? Maybe, not sure. Clearly it is hard-wired into many of the most successful people I know. I like to think anyone can increase their curiosity factor by keeping their head up more and observing the world around them.
Here are some character traits of curious people:
- Do they spend time with people outside of their own circle/ideology/industry?
- Do they go off on passion-filled tangents regarding desultory topics?
- Do they come back with 500% more than you originally asked, answering a bigger and smarter question?
- Are they secure in their own skin, happy to discuss a variety of areas with an opinion on most things?
- Does their background speak to varied interests and activities, i.e. not just a bunch of startup groups/clubs?
- Are they quick to list a favorite band, movie, artist, food?
- Can they give you five books they have recently read and are these books varied in theme and style?
- Can they talk to wild ideas/thoughts regarding their business, a vision of where the company could go or the things it could do in the future?
- Do conversations with these people flow wildly and smoothly, and an hour flies by before you even know it?
- Are they able to say “I don’t know” in a manner which is humble yet determined to followup and find an answer?
- Do they laugh often? (Curious people tend to know they are small in a large world and don’t take themselves too seriously.)
If you want to increase your curious factor, start thinking more and learn about this great world around you. Soon your curious side will flow out to all and be a magnet to all around you.
I love curious people. They fill me up and challenge me. The world needs more of them.
Recipients of this post are not to construe it as investment, legal, or tax advice, and it is not intended to provide the basis for any evaluation of an investment in any fund. Prospective investors should consult with their own legal, investment, tax, accounting, and other advisors to determine the potential benefits, burdens, and risks associated with making an investment in any fund.
