# Top 10 Mistakes New Sales Leaders Make in Their First Week Common pitfalls to avoid for a successful start in sales leadership. - **Source:** [SaaStr](https://www.saastr.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-20 - **Topic:** [Sales & BD](https://brifing.si/c/sales) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d7d0b9cc-eb97-47dd-b8eb-dffaf817d183 ## Not Knowing the Product Inside Out Many sales leaders assume they can learn the product on the job, but successful VPs master it beforehand. For instance, a VP spending their first day setting up email instead of demoing the product is a red flag. Jason Lemkin highlights how this mistake often leads to failure. Product knowledge is non-negotiable for effective leadership. ## Failing to Start Early Preparation before the official start date is crucial. Setting up email and Slack, listening to customer calls, and joining team meetings in advance boosts Day 1 productivity. Lemkin cites an example of a VP arriving at 10 a.m. without even logging into email—a clear recipe for disaster. Early engagement sets the tone for success. ## Insisting on Their Own Methods New sales leaders often disrupt teams by imposing their processes without understanding existing workflows. Gradual changes after assessing what works are more effective. In fast-growing companies, abrupt changes can hinder progress. Adapting before transforming is key to sustainable growth. ## Not Bringing Trusted Team Members A VP’s success often hinges on having a few trusted reps join them early. Lemkin emphasizes that hitting the ground running is nearly impossible without this. Starting solo puts undue pressure on the VP and slows momentum. Building a reliable team from the outset is a game-changer. ## Not Asking Enough Questions Many VP candidates focus on discussing processes rather than asking insightful questions. Top performers dig deep into why and how customers buy. Relying on generic PowerPoint decks about scaling hiring, without tailoring them to the company’s context, is a missed opportunity for genuine understanding. ## Skipping Outbound in Week 1 The best sales leaders initiate outbound efforts early, even if informally. Reaching out to industry contacts or potential prospects builds momentum. Lemkin notes that skipping this step limits a VP’s impact. Early outreach demonstrates proactive leadership and market engagement. ## Unable to Demo the Product A VP must be able to demo the product by Week 1. Relying solely on sales engineers weakens customer connections. Lemkin observes that VPs who don’t learn this skill early rarely do later. Hands-on product knowledge is essential for credibility and coaching. ## Overlooking Existing GTM Motions Many VPs fail to grasp the company’s current go-to-market strategy before making changes. For example, 40-50% of Shopify and HubSpot’s revenue comes from partners. Ignoring these dynamics leads to missteps. Understanding the ecosystem is vital for aligned and effective leadership. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.saastr.com/top-10-mistakes-i-see-new-vp-of-sales-make-the-first-week-on-the-job/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._