Zerodha co-founder and billionaire entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath recently shared candid advice with a group of under-25 founders, stressing that communication skills often matter as much as ambition when starting companies at a young age.

Speaking during a podcast-style conversation, Kamath said the ability to tell a clear and compelling story is one of the most underrated but crucial skills for entrepreneurs. Founders, he noted, should be able to explain what they’re building, and why it’s important, in a single sentence, then expand that into a persuasive narrative.

“Storytelling is a basic life skill,” Kamath told the group, adding that it plays a critical role not only when pitching products or raising capital, but also in everyday personal interactions. According to him, ideas rarely sell themselves; it’s the clarity and conviction behind it that often wins people over.

Kamath admitted that storytelling did not come naturally to him. He recalled that he had deliberately worked on this skill by hiring a professional speech coach, an Israeli communications expert who has trained several American politicians. During an intensive week-long program, Kamath cut herself off from digital distractions and was asked to write extensively by hand, an exercise she described as uncomfortable but transformative.

Beyond communication, Kamath urged the young founders to treat negotiation as a strategic skill rather than a tactical afterthought. He said negotiations are often less about the idea itself and more about the people involved.

“Disagreements often come from how someone perceives you, not necessarily the idea you’re presenting,” Kamath explained. Understanding who is likely to agree or resist, and why, before entering into a discussion, can significantly improve outcomes, he added.

He also warned founders not to react defensively when their ideas are criticized. In high-stakes conversations, projecting poise, clarity and thoughtfulness is far more effective than backing off emotionally, Kamath said.

While ambition, speed and risk-taking are often associated with young entrepreneurship, Kamath concluded that skills such as storytelling, negotiation and self-awareness often determine how far those ambitions can realistically go.