Forget AI, coding or finance: Money expert says this one ‘timeless skill’ will outlast every career trend across industries

Morgan Housel, celebrated author of The Psychology of Money and partner at The Collaborative Fund, has spent years studying how people create and preserve wealth. But when asked what skill would give his own son an advantage in any industry, Housel’s answer was simple.

Appearing on The Diary of a CEO podcast hosted by Steven Bartlett, Housel explained that the ability to clearly express ideas and build relationships with those you disagree with is “an extremely undervalued skill in today’s world.”

Beyond Technical Skills

Unlike traditional advice that pushes for expertise in finance, coding, or engineering, Housel stressed that soft skills often outlast technical know-how.


“Learn how to communicate. Learn how to get along with people you disagree with,” Housel said in the podcast. He pointed out that in a social media–driven culture where polarised opinions are common, the capacity to hold respectful dialogue and still collaborate is more powerful than mastering complex equations.

“These are timeless skills,” Housel noted, adding that they helped shape his own career as a writer and investor despite his struggles in science and math as a student.

How Communication Translates Into Career Growth

For Housel, success has not been about academic brilliance but about knowing how to connect with people. “Learn how to communicate and don’t be a jerk,” he advised, reflecting on how simply being approachable and respectful opened doors for him professionally.

He explained that strong communication enabled him to thrive as a writer, build credibility in finance, and form partnerships that advanced his career. Being “nice to this person so you can move on up,” he said, may sound simple, but it has real-world impact.

The Underestimated Skill That Pays

Housel’s perspective challenges the belief that success is primarily built on hard skills. Instead, he highlights something more human: people skills. His argument is that while industries evolve, communication and collaboration remain constants that can carry anyone through uncertainty.

It’s a point that resonates with his philosophy across his books, including The Psychology of Money and Same as Ever. Both works emphasize that understanding human behavior and focusing on unchanging principles are more valuable than chasing the next big trend.

Whether you’re an engineer, entrepreneur, or artist, Housel’s insight is clear: the most underappreciated investment you can make in your career is mastering the art of communication and learning to work with people—even those who challenge your perspective. As he told Bartlett, these skills are not only practical but “can get you pretty far in life.”