Interview with Sam Altman from the High Growth Handbook
<p><pre><code>  For example, I do think figuring out compensation
  structures is really important and something the 
  CEO should spend time on. And it’s something that 
  most CEOs don’t.
</code></pre>
This. I've been a part of three startups and in all three, the CEO didn't take compensation seriously. In today's economy, you can't sit on your hands and assume that 3-5% annual pay raises and the promise of future stock payouts will keep talent in-house, year over year, when the big guys are pushing the pay bar higher and higher.<p>For example, in my last job, 3 years of startup caused my annual pay as an iOS dev in the Bay to drop ~30k below the average for someone of my tenure. I loved the company, but I couldn't justify the loss in income, especially with housing prices being what they are. CEOs should consider compensation as critical to their company health.