The One Skill That Pays More Than AI: And It’s Not What You Think - Claims IIT Grad From Bangalore

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 650 Views

In a world obsessed with technical prowess, one Bengaluru-based startup co-founder is flipping the script. Tharun Naik, an IIT Kharagpur graduate turned entrepreneur, has ignited a nationwide conversation with a bold claim: “It’s not coding, editing, or AI that gets you hired or paid...

In a recent Instagram video that’s gone viral, Naik argues that communication is the most underrated yet most decisive skill in today’s job market. According to him, people who speak with clarity and confidence often earn twice as much as those with superior technical knowledge but poor presentation skills.

The Power of Presentation

Naik’s message is simple but powerful: “If knowledge gets you in the room, communication ensures you own it.” He explains that in hiring scenarios, the candidate who communicates better often wins—even if they know less. This insight, he says, comes from years of experience building teams and evaluating talent in India’s competitive startup ecosystem.

He recounts instances where technically brilliant candidates were passed over in favor of those who could articulate their ideas more effectively. “It’s not just about what you know,” Naik says, “but how you make others believe in it.”

Six Hacks to Supercharge Your Communication

To help others harness this game-changing skill, Naik shared six practical tips:

Think in English Stop mentally translating from your native language. Thinking directly in English makes your speech more fluid and natural.
Prioritize Clarity Over Fancy Vocabulary Big words don’t impress if your message isn’t clear. Simplicity wins.
Speak Slowly and Use Pauses Rushing through sentences signals nervousness. Pauses add confidence and emphasis.
Emphasize Key Words Stressing the right words can transform a flat sentence into a powerful statement.
Review Yourself Practice speaking on random topics in front of a mirror or camera. Self-review helps identify weak spots.
Listen More Than You Speak Great communicators are great listeners. Understanding others improves your responses.

Naik claims that applying these habits consistently can improve your communication by “600%”—a figure meant to illustrate the exponential impact of mastering this skill.

Why Communication Trumps Tech

The timing of Naik’s message couldn’t be more relevant. As AI tools automate coding, editing, and even content creation, soft skills like communication are emerging as the true differentiators. In a hiring landscape flooded with technically qualified candidates, the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively is what sets people apart.

Naik’s philosophy echoes a growing sentiment among recruiters and founders: technical skills get you noticed, but communication gets you hired.

From IIT to Startup Success

Tharun Naik’s journey is itself a testament to the power of communication. Despite cracking IIT Kharagpur and landing a high-paying job, he felt unfulfilled and eventually quit to start his own venture. Today, he leads a Bengaluru-based startup and mentors young professionals on career growth and self-development.

His viral video has sparked debates across LinkedIn, Instagram, and startup forums, with many professionals sharing their own stories of how communication—or the lack of it—shaped their careers.

Industry Reaction

HR experts and startup founders are chiming in. “We’ve rejected candidates with stellar resumes simply because they couldn’t communicate their ideas,” says one Bengaluru-based recruiter. “Communication isn’t a soft skill anymore—it’s a survival skill.”

Others argue that while technical skills remain essential, they must be complemented by strong interpersonal abilities. “You can teach someone to code,” says a hiring manager, “but teaching them to communicate is much harder.”

Sources: MSN News, Economic Time

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