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 Dell
University of Texas at Austin Commencement 2003, 2003
Video starts at 0:00 — the moment this quote was spoken
The Story Behind This Quote
Dell emphasized that there is no such thing as a self-made success. He said his most important role at Dell was growing and developing a strong team, and that he learned very early to surround himself with talented people who challenge convention, offer new ideas, and relentlessly drive for improvement. In professional circles it's called networking, in organizations it's called team building, and in life it's called family, friends, and community. The most rewarding experiences, he said, always came from relationships.