# Ciężka i uczciwa praca to za mało… | Mateusz Jemioł | TEDxPolitechnika Gdańska

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7xsxvXDZos
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/E7xsxvXDZos
Generated: 2026-01-26T17:41:58.931+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The speaker argues that hard work alone is insufficient for success, asserting that knowing the right people and being known by the right people is more crucial, contrasting his initial focus on technical skills with the later realization that networking and reputation drove his business growth from 2018 to 2024.

**Key Points:**
- The speaker was initially told that success comes from learning and hard work, but later realized that knowing people and being known by them is more important.
- His father advised him, "What you know is less important than who you know," a piece of advice he initially dismissed as 'bullshit' (02:34, 02:39).
- The speaker started his advertising firm in 2010, right after studying IT at Gdańsk University of Technology, facing a difficult start without connections (01:55, 02:13).
- The company's growth rate fluctuated between 5% and 10% annually between 2018 and 2024 (04:56).
- The turning point came when the speaker realized that his success, including the growth of his YouTube channel to 100,000 subscribers and 2 million views, was due to relationships, not just skill (08:15, 09:00).
- He now advocates that 'What you know is less important than who knows you' (13:35), emphasizing the importance of reputation and genuine connections.

![Screenshot at 02:32: The speaker's father giving him the crucial advice that 'What you know is less important than who you know,' which the speaker initially rejected.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-02-32.jpg)

**Context:** This TEDx talk, given by Mateusz Jemioł at TEDxPolitechnika Gdańska, challenges the conventional wisdom that success is purely a result of diligent effort and technical skill. The speaker recounts his journey in building his advertising firm, starting from his IT background, and how he eventually learned that networking and reputation were the dominant factors in achieving significant business growth.

## Detailed Analysis

Mateusz Jemioł recounts his early career advice, starting with the adage he heard from his parents: 'Learn, and you will achieve success,' followed by the counterpoint: 'Hard work always pays off' (00:16-00:24). Upon entering the job market after studying IT at Gdańsk University of Technology, he found starting his own advertising firm difficult without connections (02:09-02:14). He then received advice from his father: 'What you know is less important than who you know' (02:33), which he initially dismissed. However, as his company grew slowly (5-10% annually between 2018 and 2024), he realized this advice held weight (04:56, 05:35). The turning point came in 2023 when he decided to embrace this networking focus, leading to significant growth, including his YouTube channel reaching 100,000 subscribers and 2 million views (08:18-09:00). He concludes that the real secret is not just hard work or skills, but the connections you make and, more importantly, who knows you and your work (13:35).

### Early Career & Advice Received

- 'Learn, and you will achieve success'
- 'Hard work always pays off'
- Dad's advice: 'What you know is less important than who you know' (02:33)

### Business Launch & Struggle

- Started advertising firm in 2010 after IT studies with a difficult start due to lack of contacts
- Company growth was slow (5-10% annually 2018-2024) (02:13, 04:56)

### The Turning Point

- Realized that relationships and reputation led to success, citing his YouTube channel growth (100k subs, 2M views) (08:18-09:00)

### The New Philosophy

- Stated 'What you know is less important than who knows you' (13:35)
- Advocated for actively promoting work and stepping out of the comfort zone (11:57, 12:16)

![Screenshot at 00:03: Title slide for TEDx Politechnika Gdańska event featuring a golden statue holding a torch and a book.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-00-03.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:12: Speaker Mateusz Jemioł on stage at TEDx Politechnika Gdańska, with the audience visible in the foreground.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-00-12.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:50: Visual anecdote showing a person in a chicken costume being filmed in front of a green screen with the text 'Jak to było?' \(How was it?\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-01-50.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:32: Visual anecdote showing a man working on a laptop with the text overlay: 'Ważniejsze od tego co umiesz jest to kogo znasz.' \(More important than what you know is who you know\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-02-32.jpg)
![Screenshot at 10:28: A line graph illustrating the growth of YouTube views \(from under 500,000 in 2011 to over 5 million in 2025\), used to demonstrate business success.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/E7xsxvXDZos/00-10-28.jpg)