Uber’s CEO advises aspiring leaders to take liberal arts seriously

A liberal arts education might just be what you need to reach the corner office: Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is making the case that the C-suite belongs to those who blend technical fluency with “human insight.” Speaking at Brown University, his alma mater, Khosrowshahi said studying both engineering and liberal arts is “an absolute necessity” for any Gen Z grad eyeing leadership, Fortune wrote. “Engineering taught me how to solve complex problems,” he said, “but liberal arts captured my heart — and taught me to communicate in a compelling way.”

A lesson in relevance: The Uber chief’s career trajectory, from investment banking to leading Expedia and now heading a USD 141 bn ride-hailing giant, is a case study in the benefits of intellectual range. In today’s (rightfully) hyper-scrutinized corporate landscape, executives are expected to be more than just operators — they’re expected to know how to connect with employees and build a healthy corporate culture. As AI reshapes the workforce and shareholders demand more transparency, Khosrowshahi argues that future leaders need both “IQ and EQ” — coding skills and communication chops — to steer companies through shifting terrain.

The payoff for the right degree can still be huge: Though 43% of advanced degree holders report a negative return on their investment, undergrads in engineering, computer science, nursing, and economics still tend to outperform with a lifetime earnings premium of USD 500k or more, according to data cited by Fortune. Still, not all schools are equal in the US — only two Ivy League institutions see a majority of grads making six figures within a decade of graduation. Khosrowshahi’s point is less about prestige and more about the ability to reason like an engineer and speak like a storyteller.

Soft skills are becoming non-negotiable in executive roles: With public perception now a key business risk, traits like clear communication and emotional intelligence are rising on the priority list. Between 2018 and 2024, there was a 31% uptick in C-suite leaders highlighting interpersonal skills on LinkedIn. “These people skills are going to become more and more [important],” said Aneesh Raman, LinkedIn’s chief economic opportunity officer. For Gen Z, already comfortable with digital tools, combining tech fluency with strong human insight could offer a competitive edge.