Working with friends and family, I have learned first hand, that if a culture for candor has not been established from the word go a lot of things will be left unsaid. When objectives are not clear and results not delivered a team gets frustrated. When you are frustrated there are many things which need to be said but because of the close connection with your partners get left unsaid. I now find this unacceptable and before getting into any new venture I make it clear that we have to create a culture for candor and honesty right from the start. This is undoubtedly often uncomfortable, but it is easier than leaving things unsaid, which is a sure way to doom a partnership .

Being brutally candid is difficult, and often goes against what a lot of us grew up believing. The fact of the matter is that being part of a startup is not the easiest job in the world. Being candid allows your true opinion out on the table. More active participation in discussions is possible in such an environment. When partners discuss ideas in an open and candid manner you are developing a key competitive advantage against larger more conventional organizations. Make candor part of your business today no matter which stage you are in, to see the dramatic effect it can have.