Finding Your North Star in Venture Capital by Vijay Rajendran

Why personal growth is essential to your professional development as a VC

For venture capital investors, the calling is intriguing and complex. Success frequently comes at a cost. How many people feel anxious about their relationships at their fund, unfulfilled by the nature of their work, or frustrated by the difficulties of making a successful investment? Crafting the life we want means redefining success and not accepting received wisdom. It entails a commitment to not just the financial and strategic growth of the ventures we support but also to our personal growth and well-being. 

What does that look like? Here are five things that emerging venture investors can do to make that commitment real:

1. Define Your Values: Every investor is driven by something. Is it a passion for specific industries, a desire to nurture innovation or a commitment to social impact? Understanding your core values directs your choices and fosters a sense of purpose. Don’t know where to start? Put down the devices and start journaling, take a walk, or just take a really long shower to think about it.

2. Build Your Support System: Venture capital can feel isolating. Combat this by creating a peer group to share experiences, challenges, and celebrate successes. Consider joining a mastermind group for focused brainstorming and mutual support.

3. Seek Guidance: A wise mentor or a personal board of directors can provide invaluable guidance. These experienced individuals can offer objective advice, hold you accountable, and help you navigate complex situations.

4. Invest in Yourself: Continuous learning is crucial in the ever-evolving world of venture capital. Enroll in a professional development program or retreat to hone your skills and stay ahead of the curve.

5. Find Your Coach: A leadership / executive coach can help you reflect on your journey, identify areas for improvement, and chart a course for future growth. The journey towards realizing the life we envision is often replete with high stakes and pressure. These challenges distinctly affect us, catalyzing stress and, at times, leading to burnout. This is where the transformative power of leadership and performance development comes into the frame.

This serves as a guide for refining leadership skills and a gateway to unlocking our fullest potential and aligning our inner values with our outward pursuits. Experiment boldly. Pick the combination that works for you. What used to seem nice to have is becoming essential to continuing in this sometimes extreme endurance sport called venture.

At the heart of the venture capital vocation lies a burning question: Why have I chosen this path? By taking these steps, emerging investors can transform their venture capital careers to be more integrated with who they are. It's not just about chasing financial success. It's about aligning your inner compass with your outward actions. Leading authentically and building a fulfilling career contributes to a better tomorrow. 

Vijay Rajendran is a San Francisco Bay Area-based entrepreneur, angel investor, and executive coach to founders, venture investors, and other high-growth leaders in Tech. An alumnus of 500 Startups, he is author of the forthcoming book The Funding Framework from Leaders Press. You can  reach him at vijay@mystartupsystem.com