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JL

Jessica Livingston

06/27/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

Being defensive during interviews is a red flag for founders; the best founders engage openly and are willing to learn from feedback.

Video

LP

The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of YC, author)

@ Lenny's Podcast

The social radar: Y Combinator’s secret weapon | Jessica Livingston (co-founder of YC, author)

06/27/24

Related Takeaways

DC

Dalton Caldwell

03/07/18

@ Y Combinator

In discussions about competition, it's beneficial to ask founders how they plan to win against competitors rather than making them defensive about their market position.

JL

Jessica Livingston

06/27/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

During interviews, I look for humility in founders; if they don’t know an answer, they should be honest about it rather than trying to impress with smoke and mirrors.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

08/18/23

@ Y Combinator

Founders should prepare for investor meetings by expecting negative feedback and being ready for tough questions, which helps avoid discouragement.

JL

Jessica Livingston

06/27/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

The best founders are open-minded and willing to adjust their ideas based on feedback from others.

GR

Geoff Ralston

02/07/18

@ Y Combinator

I prefer to directly challenge founders on their ideas to gauge their confidence and ability to handle criticism.

VK

Vinod Khosla

04/02/25

@ South Park Commons

As a founder, it's essential to set the tone with your investors, encouraging them to provide constructive criticism rather than just positive affirmations.

EG

Elad Gil

10/18/18

@ Y Combinator

It's important for investors to challenge founders on their decisions, as this can lead to better outcomes and improvements in the startup's direction.

JL

Jessica Livingston

06/27/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

To build social radar skills, pay attention to subtle cues during founder evaluations, such as their ability to articulate their product and their defensiveness.

JL

Jessica Livingston

06/27/24

@ Lenny's Podcast

I believe that a founder's ability to listen and engage in spirited debates is essential for their success.