zlacker

There is another side effect to this that I would add as a casual investor. My bar for getting involved in a US startup is much higher than it used to be, because it's hard to make uncomfortable changes that might be construed in the wrong way. I find myself investing more freely in other countries where there is more upside and less risk of a career-destroying media storm. China for example has all kinds of unique risks associated with its government, but these are more predictable. I think this may be the biggest long-term side effect to all of this stuff - the US loses its position as the place to do disruptive business.

>>ling3+(OP)
I disagree pretty strongly, but obviously your experience is your own. If you are going into a hotly contested investment process, are you going to get away with asking for big uncomfortable changes? Probably not as you'll lose the round.

If you are already invested? I find it's pretty easy as I really am only looking to back people who are open-minded, receptive and coachable in the first place as I hope I am. One of the most common criticisms I make is that someone backed the wrong head of sales, head of growth, etc. and folks almost always hear me out because I can be quantifiable (sales metrics) and bring a solution (someone better).

>>ling3+(OP)
If you walk away from the next Google/Facebook/Microsoft because of worries about US culture, that's on you. There are a lot of hot opportunities in China and around the world, but the US is still pumping out IPO unicorns. I'd be more worried about missing out on the next Tesla or AirBnb as the greater risk

>>hooand+l4
What if the next Google/Facebook/Microsoft is in some other country because the creative environment in the US has become too stifling?

>>Mounta+Hw
To draw parallels, that is not so different to how China is basically the world leader in manufacturing - their workers do not enjoy the conditions/rights that US workers do. Automation might be the great equalizer but that is a double-edged sword. Basically, just deal with it.

>>joschm+h1
Companies I'm already working with - I've been in situations where the company would be better served with different leadership but it never happens because pushing for the changes is too hard and risky professionally for all involved. This is at least in part because of the culture shift that's happened in the US over the past decade or so.