If you’re fascinated by the intersection of deep human connection and legendary entrepreneurship, this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different with Brad Feld is a masterclass.
Brad Feld, co-founder of Techstars and Foundry Group, unpacks the profound philosophy at the heart of his new book, “Give First: The Power of Mentorship,” offering both tactical wisdom and hard-won personal perspective. This is not the typical “give-back” story, but a look at how true mentorship and generosity fuel the careers and lives of those willing to embrace a different approach.
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Brad Feld on Mentorship: More Than the “Guru on the Mountaintop” Myth
Brad Feld’s journey with mentorship began in his youth, encountering influential figures before “mentoring” was even part of the social lexicon. Like many from the 1970s and 1980s, he didn’t realize the people shaping his trajectory were mentors, but the relationships he had changed everything. Critically, Feld draws a distinction between mentors and gurus: the former guide, question, and encourage self-discovery; the latter simply impart answers from a higher level.
He notes that over time, truly powerful mentorship evolves:
“There’s a magic trick where mentors become peers.” – Brad Feld
Real mentoring relationships become two-way streets—everyone learns, everyone grows.
Give First: Non-Transactional Generosity as a Superpower
At the heart of his philosophy is a core principle: “Give First” means putting energy into a system without a required transactional expectation of return. This, Feld insists, is not simple altruism nor traditional “pay it forward,” which often feels obligatory or limited to later stages of a career. Instead, giving first is a chosen mindset, accessible at any stage and open to anyone: students, new grads, and seasoned executives alike.
A key insight: “Pay it forward is obligatory,” Feld explains, “Give First is non-transactional. There’s no obligation.” This liberation from expectation creates space for unexpected returns in relationships and opportunities, often arriving from unrelated directions and on unpredictable timelines.
Brad Feld on the Art (and Challenge) of Being Accessible: Random Days and “Assignments”
As an influential figure in the startup world, Feld faces a deluge of requests from aspiring entrepreneurs and peers alike. Balancing generosity and boundaries is an evolving practice. His solution was to create “Random Day”: a designated day each month packed with 15-minute meetings open to anyone interested. This provided structure, scale, and protection from being overwhelmed, while also ensuring he could still make a meaningful impact and learn from every encounter.
Equally important is Feld’s email “assignment” technique. Rather than simply agreeing to every meeting, he requests more specificity from senders, an effortful response that immediately filters for genuine intent. Feld’s data is telling: about 50% of people simply never reply to the assignment, allowing him to focus energy on the truly motivated, engaged few.
To hear more from Brad Feld and how Giving First is a Superpower, download and listen to this episode.
Bio
Brad Feld is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and author with more than three decades of experience in investing and building startups. He is a co-founder of Foundry Group, a Boulder-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology companies.
In addition to his work with Foundry Group, Brad co-founded Techstars, one of the world’s most successful startup accelerators, helping thousands of entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses. He is also deeply involved in fostering entrepreneurial communities worldwide.
An avid writer, Brad has authored several books on startups and venture capital. He is a frequent speaker, blogger, and advocate for innovation, mental health awareness, and long-term ecosystem building.
Links
Connect with Brad Feld!
Website | LinkedIn | X (Formerly Twitter)
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