Sequoia's Doug Leone says he got a tooth removed without Novocaine to attend a meeting
Sequoia Capital partner Doug Leone shared an anecdote about undergoing a dental procedure without anesthesia to avoid scheduling conflicts. He uses the story to illustrate his philosophy of using fear as a motivator for professional relevance.
Why it matters
The story highlights the intense, often extreme, psychological drivers behind high-stakes venture capital leadership.
Doug Leone says he's motivated by fear. Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch Doug Leone shared a story about a no-Novocaine dental procedure. The Sequoia Capital partner told Business Insider it was because of his meeting schedule. "I thought, 'Now I will find out whether I am a badass or not.'" Some people take a coffee before a big meeting. VC Doug Leone said he once took a Novocaine-less tooth removal. During an interview on the "David Senra" podcast, released on Sunday, Leone, one of Sequoia Capital's best-known partners, said he skipped the numbing agent during a dental drilling procedure. "I told the dentist, 'Drill without any Novocaine,' and he says, 'You're out of your mind,'" he said. "My whole life, I wanted to see if I was a badass or not."
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