Forget coding, editing, or AI. IIT-ian turned Bengaluru co-founder claims one skill that pays double and decides who gets hired

Economic Times

13 hours ago

Synopsis
IIT Kharagpur graduate Tharun Naik emphasizes that effective communication is a crucial skill, often more impactful than technical expertise. He suggests that individuals with strong communication skills can outperform those with greater knowledge. Tharun provides six practical hacks to enhance communication, including thinking in English, prioritizing clarity, and practicing active listening, ultimately leading to greater success.
IITian claims communication is one skill that can pay double and shared a few hacks. (Istcok- Image used for representative purpose only) In today's world, being good at your craft isn't always enough to stand out. You might have the knowledge, the experience, and even the hard work to back you up, yet someone else can walk away with the job or promotion you deserve. Why? Because they present themselves better. IIT Kharagpur graduate Tharun Naik believes one overlooked skill decides who wins opportunities—communication. And according to him, it can make you earn twice as much with half the knowledge.Tharun explained in a recent Instagram video that people who speak with confidence often get ahead of those who may quietly know more. He stressed that it's not coding, editing, or even AI that makes the biggest difference, but communication. According to him, when two people walk into a room—one with strong knowledge but weak communication, and the other who simply speaks better and presents themselves well—the latter almost always has the advantage.
He added that communication is often underestimated, even though it shapes careers more than technical skills. In many cases, someone can earn double with half the knowledge simply because they know how to express themselves effectively. But the good news is, communication is a skill anyone can sharpen. Tharun shared six powerful hacks that, if practised consistently, can dramatically improve how you express yourself. If you're mentally translating from your native language before speaking, you're slowing yourself down. Tharun suggests training your brain to think directly in English to speak more naturally.
Fancy vocabulary won't make you sound smarter if your delivery isn't clear. What matters is how you articulate your thoughts so others understand you instantly.
Rushing through words makes you sound nervous. Slowing down and pausing adds weight, depth, and confidence to your voice.
The same sentence can sound flat or powerful depending on where you put stress. Learn to highlight key words to make your speech more impactful.
Take a random topic and explain it as if you're teaching. Do it in front of a mirror or record yourself to catch areas where you can improve. Good communication isn't just about talking. Great speakers are often great listeners first, because they understand before responding. By weaving these habits into daily life, Tharun believes anyone can boost their communication by '600%'—a number he uses to show just how transformative it can be. His message is clear: if knowledge gets you in the room, communication is what ensures you own it.