Leading investment teams has taught me something crucial: the principles of effective leadership remain remarkably consistent, whether you’re managing a trading desk or a tech startup.

The Power of Quiet Moments

Recently, one of our portfolio company CEOs asked me about my most valuable leadership practice. My answer surprised him: it’s the informal conversations between meetings. Some of my best insights about team dynamics and potential issues come from these unstructured interactions.

When to Step Back

A common mistake I’ve seen (and made) is over-managing experienced professionals. At Horizon Capital, we’ve developed what I call the “clarity and space” approach:

• Provide absolute clarity on objectives
• Create space for teams to find their path
• Step in only when course correction is needed

Building Trust Through Transparency

In today’s complex market environment, being transparent about challenges is more crucial than ever. I’ve found that teams perform best when they understand not just what we’re doing, but why we’re doing it.

The Feedback Loop

The most valuable feedback often comes from unexpected places. I make it a point to regularly connect with junior team members – their perspective on market trends and technology has proven invaluable numerous times.

More thoughts on building high-performance investment teams in my next post.