Jason Lemkin, a prominent figure in the SaaS industry and founder of SaaStr, recently reiterated his long-standing advice regarding the performance expectations for Vice Presidents (VPs) in startups, emphasizing a critical 90-day window for impact. In a recent social media post, Lemkin stated, > "That VP that hasn’t leveled things up in 90 days? They never will." He highlighted a common founder's dilemma: the desire to give new VPs more time to show results, particularly in areas like sales growth or outbound strategies.
Lemkin firmly believes that if significant progress isn't evident within 30, 60, or a maximum of 90 days, it is unlikely to materialize later. This perspective challenges the common inclination of founders to extend grace periods, arguing that such delays can be detrimental to a fast-moving startup. His advice is rooted in the high stakes of early-stage growth where every hire, especially at the leadership level, must quickly contribute.
Industry data supports the urgency of Lemkin's stance, with a staggering 70% of startup VPs reportedly failing within their first 18 months. This high attrition rate is attributed to various factors, including unclear expectations, poor cultural fit, lack of resources, and misalignment between founder vision and VP execution. These challenges underscore why early and decisive action on underperforming leadership is crucial for a startup's trajectory.
For a VP to "level up," it typically means demonstrating tangible improvements in their designated area, such as generating new leads for a VP of Marketing or closing deals for a VP of Sales. High-performing VPs are expected to hit the ground running, quickly assessing and improving existing processes and teams. Failure to do so within the initial critical period can lead to missed opportunities and a drain on valuable resources.
Lemkin's consistent message serves as a stark reminder for founders to set clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and to be prepared to make difficult decisions if a VP does not demonstrate measurable progress within the initial 90-day assessment period. This proactive approach is essential for mitigating risks associated with mis-hires and ensuring sustained growth in competitive startup environments.