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NYU Stern business school professor Scott Galloway says in an AI-driven future, your priority should be on building lasting, practical skills \u2014 especially the ability to tell compelling stories and form strong relationships, which he predicts will remain valuable no matter how industries change.<\/p>\n
On an episode of The Diary of a CEO<\/a> podcast released earlier this week, host Steven Bartlett asked Galloway which abilities will be most valuable in the years ahead. (Galloway is also an entrepreneur; he founded the digital intelligence firm L2 in 2010 and sold the business to Gartner for $160 million<\/a> in 2017.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Galloway noted that about a decade ago, many private schools poured resources into teaching Mandarin and computer science. The schools assumed those skills would give students a long-term advantage. In hindsight, he argued, that bet hasn\u2019t paid off the way many expected.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s that worked out?\u201d Galloway said. \u201c\u2018Thank god my kid knows Mandarin,\u2019 said nobody right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, he argued that the next generation should prioritize what he sees as a timeless advantage: the ability to tell a strong story. \u201cThat\u2019s your ability to look at data, create a narrative arc and then communicate that story in a compelling way via all the different mediums,\u201d he said. \u201cI think you have to write well.\u201d<\/p>\n Galloway said top CEOs tend to stand out for their storytelling ability. He gave examples like Jeff Bezos\u2019s early shareholder letters<\/a> and Jensen Huang\u2019s high-energy, arena-style presentations. These examples are \u201cvery compelling,\u201d Galloway said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Galloway also emphasized that as AI becomes more embedded in everyday work, human connection will only grow more important. He said the ability to build trust, communicate effectively and develop meaningful relationships will remain a critical advantage \u2014 something technology can\u2019t easily replicate.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, I have three different law firms pitching me business, three different investment banks,\u201d he said. \u201cWho do I have the best relationship with, and who do I want to work with?\u201d<\/p>\n The entrepreneur and educator added that having a solid grounding in the sciences will continue to be valuable. It will be useful to have a basic understanding of how scientific and technical systems work, he said.<\/p>\n Galloway urged the next generation to develop strong writing skills, feel confident engaging directly with others and maintain a competitive edge. One \u201chugely underrated\u201d skill he observed young people are lacking, is the ability to \u201cendure rejection.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe secret to my success is rejection,\u201d Galloway said.\u00a0<\/p>\n JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said in a December interview with Fox News that AI \u201cwill eliminate jobs.\u201d However, he added that acquiring a few skills can keep you in demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy advice to people would be critical thinking,\u201d Dimon said in the interview. \u201cLearn EQ [emotional quotient or emotional intelligence], learn how to be good in a meeting, how to communicate, how to write. You\u2019ll have plenty of jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a 2024 company video<\/a> that what separates people who build strong careers from those who stall is a constant drive to keep learning. \u201cYou have to be ravenous and hungry to find ways to learn,\u201d Jassy said. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n NYU Stern business school professor Scott Galloway says in an AI-driven future, your priority should be on building lasting, practical skills \u2014 especially the ability to tell compelling stories and form strong relationships, which he predicts will remain valuable no matter how industries change.<\/p>\n On an episode of The Diary of a CEO<\/a> podcast released earlier this week, host Steven Bartlett asked Galloway which abilities will be most valuable in the years ahead. (Galloway is also an entrepreneur; he founded the digital intelligence firm L2 in 2010 and sold the business to Gartner for $160 million<\/a> in 2017.)\u00a0<\/p>\n Galloway noted that about a decade ago, many private schools poured resources into teaching Mandarin and computer science. The schools assumed those skills would give students a long-term advantage. In hindsight, he argued, that bet hasn\u2019t paid off the way many expected.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nAn underrated skill<\/h2>\n
Other AI-proof skills<\/h2>\n
Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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