Why did Naval say, "Who you work with is more important than what you work on"?

Hey, that’s a great question because it hits at the core essence of doing things, starting a business, and even life itself. When I first heard Naval’s quote, I paused too—it felt counterintuitive to the conventional wisdom that "choosing the right field is everything." But when you really think about it and reflect on your own experiences or those around you, you realize how profoundly right he is.

Let me break this down in plain language.

Why Are "People" More Important Than "The Project"?

Think of any endeavor—starting a business, launching a project, or even organizing a long trip—as an ocean voyage.

The Project (What): This is your destination, say, "finding the legendary Treasure Island." Sounds cool and exciting, right?
The Collaborators (Who): These are your crewmates.

Now, let’s explore why the crew matters more than the destination.

1. The Ocean Is Unpredictable—Plans Change

You set out for Treasure Island, but at sea, you might discover:

The navigational charts are wrong; the island doesn’t exist.
A storm forces you to seek shelter on another island.
Someone spots a new route leading to a place even better than Treasure Island.

If your crew is solid, smart, and resilient, what happens? They study the charts together, weather the storm as one, and calmly weigh the best path forward. Even if the treasure hunt fails, they might discover a fertile new continent. A great team can turn a failed treasure hunt into a pioneering success.

But if your crew is selfish, complaining, and distrustful?
At the first sign of trouble, they demand to turn back. When the maps prove flawed, they blame you. New ideas get shot down. The likeliest outcome? A sunken ship, scattered survivors—forget treasure, staying alive would be a miracle. A terrible team turns a sure-win quest into a disaster.

Conclusion: Projects (destinations) are fixed, but reality is fluid. Only "people" can navigate that uncertainty.

2. The Journey Is Your Life

We imagine success as the moment we reach the destination. But that’s a flash of joy—the journey itself takes years.

With the right people: Even amid tedium or hardship, trust, encouragement, and shared laughs make the voyage joyful and warm. Waking up ready to tackle the day alongside them? That’s fulfillment in itself.
With the wrong people: Even on a luxury ship heading toward glory, daily infighting, distrust, and negativity will make time crawl. Would you trade years of that anguish for a hollow "success"—even if you found the treasure?

Conclusion: Life’s satisfaction comes from the journey, not just the destination. Great partners make the struggle worthwhile.

3. Energy Is Contagious: Are You Charged or Drained?

This is visceral:

Great partners are power banks: When you’re low, they recharge you. You spark ideas, boost morale, and sharpen each other in meetings. You grow stronger and more creative because of the team.
Toxic partners are energy vampires: They suck you dry. Handling their drama and messes leaves no energy for innovation or solving real problems.

A project’s fate heavily depends on the team’s collective energy—and that energy stems entirely from the "people."

Conclusion: Collaboration is more than dividing tasks—it’s energy exchange. Teaming up with those who radiate energy? That’s how you keep a project alive.

To Sum It Up

Naval’s insight—"who you work with matters more than what you work on"—doesn’t mean projects are irrelevant. It points to something deeper:

An A+ team can turn an ordinary project into something legendary. But a dysfunctional team can run even the most promising project into a dead end.

Before obsessing over what to do, invest time finding people you genuinely trust, respect, and admire. People who share your values and long-term vision. People who’ll endure storms with you and celebrate with you.

Find that crew, and whether you’re "hunting treasure" or "pioneering a new continent" becomes secondary. You’ll not only have higher odds of success—you’ll actually enjoy the voyage. That is the smartest investment of all.