In a revealing moment during a mock interview with NBA star Stephen Curry, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates admitted straight-up that a career in sales or marketing just isn’t for him. “I would not enjoy being a salesman,” he stated, pointing to his natural affinity for creating and defining products rather than promoting them.

Gates described himself as an engineering-minded thinker—more energized by coding and innovation than by pitching or selling. He stressed that his strengths lie in product creation, not in customer outreach or messaging. This distinction underscores how effective teams often benefit from diverse skill sets working in harmony.

By owning this straightforward limitation, Gates also modeled something that’s rare in high-profile leaders: embracing authenticity. He shows how recognizing what you are not good at and what you don’t enjoy can be as impactful in a team context as knowing your strengths.

Whether building an iconic technology company or assembling a high-performing team, clarity about your role and realistic alignment with your natural strengths is a powerful advantage.