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Hey there,
Welcome to Week 22 of TechExec - the newsletter that turbocharges your growth to become a Tech Executive!
I never thought I would do something like this, but here we are! I am starting a new VC fund called TrueNorth Ventures.
At TrueNorth Ventures, we want to back first-generation Canadians and new immigrant founders at the earliest stages. Our core sectors of focus are AI, fintech, climate tech, and B2B SaaS. No idea is too early for us, and we can invest even before incorporation.
Personally, I don’t like talking about things that are still work-in-progress. But I have seen the power of building in public, so that motivated me. Here are a few ways you can support me in my journey:
As always, we are sharing a new set of BLTs this week
💼 B - a Business concept / theory / story
💝 L - a lifestyle advice
🤖 T - a Tech explainer
Here is the schedule:
Monday —>💼 B - a Business concept / theory / story
Wednesday —> 💝 L - a lifestyle advice
Friday —> 🤖 T - a Tech explainerThis week we covered Form S-1 on Monday, and we will cover GPUs on Friday.
Today’s lifestyle advice is on the Spotlight Effect!
💼 L - Spotlight Effect
Let me start this post with a flex 💪I went to Harvard Business School for my MBA. With the flex out of the way, I want to admit that I always felt the Spotlight Effect during my time at HBS. HBS has this case-based teaching method where you are judged based on the quality of your comments. While some of my classmates were very eloquent and seemed to know everything under the sun, I was an introverted engineer who feared people would remember every stupid word I said. Eventually I realized that people have their own battles and that nobody really cares! And that, my friend, is the Spotlight Effect!
The spotlight effect is an intriguing psychological phenomenon that encapsulates our innate tendency to believe that others are perpetually observing us, judging our actions, and analyzing our performances. Named aptly, it mirrors the sentiment of standing under a glaring spotlight on a stage, with an audience's eyes unblinkingly fixed on us. While being under observation is true in some instances, this effect often magnifies that perception to an unrealistic degree, leading us to overestimate the amount of attention we actually receive.
In our personal lives, the spotlight effect can manifest in various ways. It can induce excessive self-consciousness about our appearance, behavior, or mistakes, making us overly cautious and hesitant in social situations. We might spend hours deciding what to wear to a dinner party or painstakingly rehearse a conversation in our heads before it actually takes place, merely out of the fear of negative perception. This continuous self-scrutiny and fear of judgment can take a toll on our mental health, affect our self-esteem, and potentially lead to social anxiety.
In the professional realm, too, the spotlight effect can have significant implications. It can create constant pressure to perform impeccably and avoid mistakes at all costs. This might lead to an unhealthy work-life balance, as we might end up spending extra hours at work, double-checking every minute detail, or stressing about every little decision made. This constant striving for perfection and fear of failure can not only affect productivity but also potentially lead to burnout.
So how do we adapt to this? The first step is awareness and acceptance. Recognizing that the spotlight effect is a cognitive bias that distorts our perception can help us put things into perspective. It's crucial to remind ourselves that people are more engrossed in their own lives and worries than focusing on our faults or successes.
Next, practice self-compassion. Being kind to ourselves when we falter and accepting that mistakes are part of being human can significantly reduce the fear of judgment. Viewing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow rather than as personal failures can make us more resilient.
Lastly, in the professional context, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and setting realistic goals for ourselves can mitigate the effects of the spotlight effect. Remember, it's okay to not be perfect, and it's okay to make mistakes. What matters more is how we bounce back from those mistakes and keep moving forward.
Takeaway: The spotlight effect reveals our tendency to believe that we are constantly scrutinized, leading to self-consciousness and fear of judgment. In personal life, this can result in excessive caution, affecting self-esteem and causing social anxiety. In the professional sphere, it generates pressure for perfection, potentially leading to burnout and an unhealthy work-life balance. Overcoming this bias begins with awareness and acceptance that people are generally focused on their own concerns. Self-compassion and viewing mistakes as learning opportunities are essential for resilience. Maintaining a balanced life and setting realistic goals can help mitigate the effects of the spotlight effect, reminding us that perfection isn't necessary; resilience is.
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