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Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people... or find a different room. In professional circles it's called networking. In organizations it's called team building. And in life it's called family, friends, and community. We are all gifts to each other, and my own growth as a leader has shown me again and again that the most rewarding experiences come from my relationships.
Michael Dell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Surrounding yourself with smarter individuals fosters growth and learning.

This quote emphasizes the importance of being surrounded by those who are more knowledgeable or skilled than yourself as a means to enhance personal and professional growth. It highlights that networking, team building, and nurturing relationships are essential for mutual development and enriching life experiences.

Themes

LeadershipGrowthRelationshipsNetworkingCommunity

In practice

Example use cases

During a leadership seminar, I would quote this to emphasize the importance of collaboration.

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The IT organization can't drive or lead a digital transformation. It has to come from the business and the business strategy, because they're fundamental to how a company or an organization evolves.
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If you want to sustain excellence over a long time, you'd better come up with a system that works well. Anyone can sprint for a little while, but you can't sprint for forty years.
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The key is to listen to your heart and let it carry you in the direction of your dreams. I've learned that it's possible to set your sights high and achieve your dreams and do it with integrity, character, and love. And each day that you're moving toward your dreams without compromising who you are, you're winning.
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When you found a company, you feel a deep sense of responsibility for it. I'll care about Dell even after I'm dead. So this is a pretty personal process. And when you're doing what you love, and it's working, you don't get tired working what other people might consider long hours or crazy schedules. It's just fun. It's energizing.
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I believe that you have to understand the economics of a business before you have a strategy, and you have to understand your strategy before you have a structure. If you get these in the wrong order, you will probably fail.
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Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people... or find a different room.
Michael DellRead

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