Totally agree. Maybe it’s just me, but being raised on a lot of classic literature, I believe that a clear yet respectful answer is always a sign of respect.
However, I’m curious what you think more generally—outside of VC, in situations like rejection after a job interview, responding to a team member’s idea, or similar cases. I tend to tell the truth, but many people keep saying it’s better to say “maybe” or give some other vague, polite answer. Do you think it depends on the level of the game people are playing?
A thoughtful no can build long-term trust and reputation. Founders remember how they’re treated, especially in rejection, and that experience compounds over time.
How you treat people on the way out always comes back around.
Exactly. The way you end things says a lot about how people remember you
Turning thoughtful VC rejections into reputation capital is smart strategy for lasting relationships.
That is the right point
Totally agree. Maybe it’s just me, but being raised on a lot of classic literature, I believe that a clear yet respectful answer is always a sign of respect.
However, I’m curious what you think more generally—outside of VC, in situations like rejection after a job interview, responding to a team member’s idea, or similar cases. I tend to tell the truth, but many people keep saying it’s better to say “maybe” or give some other vague, polite answer. Do you think it depends on the level of the game people are playing?
It does depend on the situation, but honesty should still be the starting point :)
A thoughtful no can build long-term trust and reputation. Founders remember how they’re treated, especially in rejection, and that experience compounds over time.
A clear no is usually better than a vague maybe
The useful point here is that a vague maybe often does more damage than a clean no.
People can recover from clarity. It is false hope that wastes time.
How someone rejects you usually tells you more about them than the rejection itself.
Especially in circles where people keep meeting again.
Agreed. A clean no often does less damage than a soft maybe