Source: Entrepreneur
In an era where seed rounds and valuation multiples dominate every coffee shop conversation in Bengaluru and Gurgaon, Nikhil Kamath is changing the frequency. The Zerodha co-founder recently sat down with a cohort of entrepreneurs under 25 years old, and he didn’t want to talk about burnout rates.
Instead, he focused on the “soft” skills that provide the hardest competitive advantages in the practical world: the art of the story and the psychology of the deal.
The Power of the “One-Liner”
For many young founders and entrepreneurs, the product is very dear to them. They want to explain every feature, every line of code, and every pivot. Nikhil Kamath argues that this is where most fail.
He identifies storytelling not just as a marketing tool, but as a fundamental life skill. His advice? If you can’t summarise your life’s work in a single, compelling sentence, you have not mastered your narrative yet.
Nikhil Kamath stated that “Storytelling helps not just professionally, but in every personal interaction you will ever have.” It’s the difference between being a vendor and being a visionary.
Even Billionaires Need Coaches
In a refreshing moment of candour, Nikhil Kamath admitted that he was not born a natural orator or founder. To bridge this gap, he sought out a high-level speech coach, an expert who has trained U.S. politicians.
Nikhil Kamath was stripped of his devices and forced to write by hand for a week. This analogue approach was designed to foster deep thinking and clarity, showing that even in a tech-driven world, the most persuasive ideas often start with pen and paper.
Negotiation is Not About Prices, But People
If storytelling is how you open a door, negotiation is how you stay in the room. Nikhil Kamath’s take on negotiation is deeply psychological. He suggests that most business disagreements have very little to do with the idea itself and everything to do with the person pitching it.
Key Takeaways of Nikhil Kamath’s Advice:
- Pre-Game the Room: Understand who likes you (and who doesn’t) before you sit down.
- Manage Bias: Recognise that people judge the messenger before the message.
- Kill the Defensiveness: When someone slams your idea, don’t snap back. Responding thoughtfully and with balance projects a level of maturity that offsets the lack of years on your CV.
The Bottom Line for the Under-25 Crowd (Gen Z Entrepreneurs)
While the startup ecosystem often prizes speed above all else, Nikhil Kamath’s insights suggest that self-awareness is the actual engine of scale. You can raise millions, but if you can’t negotiate a contract or tell a story that recruits top talent, that capital won’t go far.
For the next generation of Indian founders, the message is clear: Invest in your tech, but invest even more in yourself.
