In a candid revelation, David Solomon, the CEO of global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs, has dismantled a common career myth. Speaking on Sequoia Capital's 'Long Strange Trip' podcast, Solomon stated that raw intelligence, while necessary, is far from sufficient for achieving and sustaining success at the highest levels of finance.
The "Whole Package" Beyond Brilliance
Solomon's remarks offer a stark reality check in a world often obsessed with elite credentials and pure intellect. "You have to be smart enough, but the smartest person in the world without a whole package of other things is not going to navigate Goldman Sachs well," he explained. For a $268 billion institution like Goldman Sachs, where decisions have immediate real-world consequences, being functional under extreme pressure trumps simply being the brightest in the room.
This perspective is not anti-intellectual but a pragmatic assessment of what high-stakes environments truly demand. Markets, Solomon implied, reward judgment, timing, and the ability to interpret human dynamics as much as complex data. The "whole package" he refers to includes critical traits like resilience, determination, and interpersonal connection—qualities forged not in academic settings but through real-world conflict and uncertainty.
Why Experience is the Ultimate Differentiator
Pushing his argument further, Solomon highlighted a factor he believes is massively undervalued in today's fast-paced culture: experience. He called it "hugely underrated" and a "big differentiator for the firm." This stands in contrast to narratives that glorify youthful prodigies and rapid ascents.
"You can't teach experience," Solomon asserted. Its true value, he clarified, isn't about mere tenure. It's about the accumulation of exposure to failure, ambiguity, and situations where there is no perfect answer, only a responsible decision. "It matters when the bumps come. You've got to make difficult judgments," he said. While book smarts prepare you for tests, lived experience prepares you for the weight of consequences.
Key Takeaways for Ambitious Professionals
For professionals charting their paths in competitive fields, Solomon's insights provide an actionable, if challenging, blueprint:
First, move beyond credentials. Degrees may unlock doors, but they cannot sustain a career. Build credibility through demonstrable work and results, not just labels.
Second, seek stretching roles. Prioritize positions that expose you to accountability, failure, and high-pressure decision-making over perfectly curated, flattering career steps. These challenging experiences are what build the essential "package."
Third, deliberately invest in human skills. Abilities like listening, persuasion, absorbing feedback, and maintaining composure are not "soft"—in critical moments, they are decisive competitive advantages.
Finally, understand that excellence is a habit. Building the complete profile Solomon describes is a slow, consistent process rooted in self-awareness and the willingness to endure discomfort long before success becomes visible.
