reminds me of when I ran into Mike Moritz at a coffee shop (as a founder). And I said "oh shit" (as a founder btw) I honestly couldn't believe my founder eyes (because I'm a founder). I found him because I'm a founder
Had a private meeting with Moritz at the peak of his powers. Was nervous, intimidated but he was actually friendly, completely locked in which made me less so. Was genuinely warm and interested when I told him my Dad's founding story.
Nerves got better of me at some point and I confidently bullshitted a point. A function of being unprepared. He caught it, I knew it. Like a light switch, his demeanor did a 180. Sneering, dismissive. Meeting ended quickly. Great lesson: be prepared.