If I had to bet all my money on a single predictor of startup success, it wouldn’t be vision, product chops, or fundraising ability.
It’s hiring.
I meet with hundreds of founders every year. And the ones who consistently outperform? They’re magnets for exceptional people.
Because the truth is simple—if you can’t hire great people, you’re not building a great company.
But being great at hiring isn’t just posting jobs and reviewing resumes. It’s a skill set made up of three things:
Judgment
Do you know what truly great talent looks like? And can you spot it based on potential, not just credentials?Network
Are you connected to high-caliber communities that others can’t easily access? Do you know where to find the best?Sales Ability
Can you sell your vision so compellingly that others want to drop what they’re doing and join you?
The founder sets the vision. But no founder builds anything meaningful alone. Your company is your team. And how far you go depends on who’s on that journey with you.
What do you think?
Reply with your perspective—I’d love to hear from you.
— Michelle
Menlo VC
Share this post