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Comment by cheez | Hacker News Reader

A good biz monkey is worth at least as much as a decent code monkey but a bad biz monkey and a decent code monkey won't do any good. Two sides of the same coin. I recently met a true hustler who I would totally do a completely secure, air tight partnership with as long as it had a shotgun clause.

Yes, you can't trust the good biz monkeys.

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    Yes, you can't trust the good biz monkeys.

My experience as well. Sadly, the only really good biz person I know does not share the same values as me. Very intelligent and good at what they do, but they'd fuck you over in a second if that meant them "winning". Don't care for a second what business they're running, as long as it's a money-making business. Whereas I have to feel like I'm working on "important" problems, that person couldn't care less.

Pretty sure that person is sociopathic - at least borderline.

> Don't care for a second what business they're running, as long as it's a money-making business

Thank you, I think I needed to hear this. The person I'm talking to seems exactly like this. While I want to be working on important problems (hell if not important, atleast 'cool' ones), they just want a money making 'thing'.

I've been mulling for a while on how to go ahead with it, but this has made me more than certain our wavelengths do not match even though he's great at connections and selling hard.

My personal strategy is to acknowledge this type of person exists, and act accordingly. This means, unfortunately, not putting too much trust into that person in areas they don't deserve it. You need to evaluate carefully both of your interests. Any divergence is a weak point that could be used against you.

I know I can put my faith into that particular person for some specifics such as writing business research and collecting market data, for example. But I could not, for example, leave my computer unlocked with that person. Nor would I use their internet connection to do bank stuff. Nor would I discuss certain things in certain rooms of their house. Some things I'm paranoid for, others not. The point is, some people need to be kept in check ;)

Personally, I don't NEED to be working on "important" problems. I am usually aligned with them as far as it comes to making money. But really good biz monkeys understand leverage and are constantly seeking it, even with their partners. This can be toxic and a constant balancing act. I'd be willing to make less money if I could be confident that I'm not going to get my legs cut out from under me.

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