A lot of people ask me what it takes to be successful as a VC. I hear it from peers and from candidates interviewing to work at OpenView. People want to know the secret “pro tip” for aspiring or newly-minted VCs that will guarantee their success.

In today’s lifehack-glorifying world, it’s not surprising to me that people are looking a career Game Genie. Do I need an MBA? Do I need to be an “operator” first, by working at or founding a startup? Or do I need to be an investment banker first?