[nemesisj]

Wow I couldn't disagree more.

I have a rule that I'll never turn down a 30-45 minute catchup with someone who needs some advice, or wants a sounding board, or just wants to talk about something they're excited about. Life is about people, and has a funny way of turning things around so that those kinds of meetings grow into friendships, business connections, and sometimes of course - nothing at all.

Most people agree that mentor-mentee relationships benefit both parties equally well. I've definitely found this to be true. While these kinds of interactions may not be the same kind of dynamic as a long-term mentor relationship, spending a small chunk of time can also break you out of a rut or give you a new idea.

Don't discount the power of taking a few minutes out of your day to pay it forward.

[7Figures2Commas]

I'm not suggesting that there's no room for developing and maintaining relationships.

But when you're the CEO of a company with employees and/or investors, you need to prioritize and filter, and you need to recognize the important, worthwhile conversations from the unimportant, unproductive ones.

Spending an hour of your time arguing with a person who doesn't want your advice in the first place and won't even tell you what he's working on without an NDA clearly falls into the latter category.

[nemesisj]

The flaw with your thinking is you don't actually know what was important or worthwhile until after it happened, and it may take years for that to really play out. Some of the best employees and friends I've ever had came about through an unproductive hour or two, filled with argument. As much as we'd like to think we can judge interactions within a few minutes of them happening, we can't. The funny thing is, the same rule applies...to startups! When you try to compartmentalise and distill everything into a snap judgment you just end up making mistakes and missing opportunities.

[ulisesrmzroche]

You're not gonna bill me for reading your comments, are you?

[duncanmcdowell]

Spending an hour of your time in a discussion which helps you reaffirm and/or challenge your own beliefs can be incredibly valuable.

[startupstella]

Some of the most valuable insights/learnings have happened to me when I'm sharing advice with people. Often, I don't even realize I knew something until I've shared it.

Startups are also built on reciprocity- I'm only here because mentors took time away from their successful companies to help me. Now, I'm helping others.

[namenotrequired]

Funny - often, I don't realise I don't know something for sure until I share it and hear other people's perspective :)