You're in charge of a company's future. How do you ensure trust with founders while making tough decisions?

La comunicación efectiva, honesta y transparente es fundamental para construir relaciones con los fundadores de la empresa. Es crucial ser proactivo y transmitir no solo las malas noticias, sino también la situación actual y recomendaciones basadas en un análisis profundo. La precisión en la comunicación es esencial, ya que el tiempo de los fundadores y accionistas es valioso; debemos evitar abrumarlos con datos innecesarios. Además, es importante escuchar atentamente y clarificar cualquier duda sobre el mensaje recibido. Involucrarlos en las decisiones y reportar el cumplimiento de promesas y el estado de proyectos es clave para mantener la confianza.

- Transparancy: From the outset, establish a culture of open communication. Share both successes and challenges honestly with founders. - Regular Updates: Hold consistent meetings to discuss the company's financial health, strategic direction, and any potential challenges. This helps to build a foundation of trust over time.

Comece conhecendo cultura, missão e valores da empresa. Praticar escuta ativa com time, pares e liderança é fundamental. Caso seja necessário um ajuste de rota em um plano em execução, você terá como ajustar sem perder o ritmo do que está em execução. Respeito, confiança e lealdade é essencial no relacionamento.

To build trust with founders while making tough decisions, communicate openly and transparently about the reasons behind each decision, involve them in the process, and consistently show that their long-term vision is respected. Prioritize integrity and mutual respect to maintain a strong partnership.

Communication is crucial in any type of relationship and when working with talented founders, it is even more relevant due to various aspects impacting the journey including higher stress. The mindset and often vision of a founder may often differ from someone else and it's important to both want to reach the set goal and put any personal ego at home. I have seen numerous deals or founders losing their business only because of their ego. Work on building a relationship, be clear about what you expect, how you work and both parties should agree on a common way or working and communicating. The goal is to from A to B, together, it's that simple and to do so, you need respect, resilience, high EQ and common sense.

Es necesario ir más allá de una excelente comunicación abierta, honesta y transparente, es crear un sentido de pertenencia compartido, es necesario comprender los intereses de cada fundador mediante platicas individuales para conocer sus expectativas. Por lo que es necesario diseñar un sistema de incentivos combinado que cubra sus diversas expectativas, una vez alcanzados los objetivos de la organización. Involucrarlos en la visión a largo plazo que les de ese sentido de pertenencia y propiedad, que sepan que sus intereses y patrimonio se protegen y desarrollan. Hacerlos participar en los éxitos y celebraciones de la empresa, son parte de ella y el equipo en su conjunto.

Clearly communicate your long-term goals and ensure they align with the founders’ vision. Work together to create shared objectives that benefit both the company and the founders. By demonstrating that your interests are aligned, you reinforce the idea that you’re working towards a common goal.

Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and expectations for decision-making. When everyone understands their part, trust is easier to maintain.

You need two to tango and here, you need to both have our interests perfectly aligned in order to better face adversity. Understand that once you decided to invest (meaning you trust the founding team to succeed and believe there is a significant chance for success) you cannot "force" your point of view but instead be ready to help, coach, mentor, advise and open doors to founders in order to maximise both parties to succeed. Anyone refusing help usually has a limited growth mindset and the relationship set up should be discussed from the very beginning. Your goal shouldn't be just financial and risking the company's future by pressing it to scale up too fast as often seen.

Where possible, involve founders in the decision-making process. This can be through seeking their input or by discussing potential scenarios before final decisions are made.

Anyone should want and enjoy learning daily, educate oneself and this is particularly more obvious for a founder who has to act like a Swiss knife and constantly learn whilst under pressure. There comes the importance of being transparent, clear, and full of integrity. Take time to explain in details and in simple ways potential risks/rewards (i.e lots of founders underestimate liquidity preferences clauses). People will respect and trust you more if you act with integrity and becomes the person they wish to work with.

Provide founders with a clear understanding of the company’s financials, market conditions, and strategic imperatives. Educate them on the reasoning behind tough decisions, using data and case studies to support your points. This transparency helps founders see the bigger picture and builds trust in your judgement.

Before making tough decisions, provide detailed explanations and data to the founders. Educate them on the potential impacts, risks, and benefits of each option. Transparency in your decision-making process helps build credibility and shows that you are making informed choices, which enhances their trust in your leadership.

Venture capital is known for generating significant returns but also carries a high level of risk. Education plays a crucial role in this process, as it not only guides participants in making decisions based on empirical evidence but also helps build a greater sense of trust. When stakeholders are well-informed, they are more likely to trust the process and make more informed decisions for the company. This, in turn, creates a more secure and stable environment.

To ensure trust with founders while making tough decisions, I prioritize transparent communication, actively listening to their concerns, and empathizing with their perspectives. I also provide clear explanations for my decisions, focusing on the company's long-term vision and goals, while being open to feedback and collaboration. This balanced approach fosters trust, understanding, and a shared sense of purpose.

Para mostrar empatía con los fundadores cuando se está a cargo de una empresa, es necesario escuchar y entender cualquier señal e instrucción que dan, no solo aquellas verbales o escritas, es entenderlos en todo lo posible, entender sus emociones aun cuando difícilmente las expresen, comunicarnos de manera asertiva buscando expresar ideas de forma clara y respetuosa, sin parecer impositivo, involucrarlos en la búsqueda de soluciones para trabajar juntos y crear compromiso. Ofrecer apoyo ante cualquier proceso de cambio, celebrando la apertura y manteniendo la moral alta para reforzar la confianza del equipo.

Recognize the emotional and personal stakes involved in tough decisions. Approach discussions with empathy, understanding the impact on the founders and their team. Acknowledge their concerns and feelings, and demonstrate that you are considering their perspectives as you make decisions.

One way to demonstrate empathy in situations like these is to understand why the decision is difficult for the founders and help them see the long-term benefits. Often, a decision can be challenging because it involves measures that, in the short term, may seem contrary to the founders' immediate interests. However, these measures can provide significant advantages for the company and the founders in the long run. Understanding this aspect is crucial for developing empathy and truly grasping the founders' perspective.

Ao tomar decisões difíceis, equilibro empatia com a lógica empresarial. Entendo o impacto emocional sobre os fundadores, mas deixo claro os motivos estratégicos por trás das decisões. Esse equilíbrio entre compaixão e clareza fortalece a confiança, mesmo em situações desafiadoras.

Offer continuous support to founders during difficult times. Whether it’s through mentorship, resources, or just being available to listen, showing that you’re there for them reinforces trust. Let them know that you’re committed to their success, both personally and professionally.

Offer unwavering support throughout the decision-making process and beyond. Provide resources, guidance, and assistance to help founders navigate challenges. Show that you are invested in their success and are there to support them, which reinforces trust and collaboration.

Acredito que o papel dos investidores é manter uma relação de suporte e disposição sempre que necessário aos fundadores demonstrando que estamos a disposição para auxiliar tanto em momentos difíceis quando em momentos de abundancia. Pois esse suporte aumento a confiança e trazer retorno positivos ao longo prazo.

Providing support is essential not only to gain the founders' trust but also to help the company navigate the challenges and obstacles common to any business. Studying the company and creating a SWOT matrix can be very useful for identifying the threats it faces and making more informed strategic decisions. Over time, as the founders recognize your commitment and expertise, their trust in your decisions will grow, leading to greater acceptance of your recommendations.

Be transparent and consistent in your communication. Clearly explain the rationale behind decisions, and keep founders informed throughout the process. Regular updates and open channels of communication help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that trust remains intact, even in tough situations.

Maintain open and transparent communication at all times. Clearly articulate the rationale behind decisions, expected outcomes, and the next steps. Regular updates and honest feedback help manage expectations and build confidence in your leadership. Each of these approaches contributes to fostering a trusting relationship with founders, ensuring that even tough decisions are made collaboratively and with mutual respect.