Quote of the day: “Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest inviting smarter people… or finding another room.” – Michael Dell
Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, an American billionaire, businessman and investor, offers a powerful lesson in humility and growth through this widely shared quote. At first glance, this may sound counterintuitive. After all, many people strive to be the most experienced or accomplished people in any environment. However, Dell’s words suggest that true success lies not in dominance, but in constant learning.
What does Michael Dell’s quote mean?
The main message of the quote is to surround yourself with people who challenge you. If you’re the smartest person in the room, that probably means you’re not forced to expand your thinking. Growth occurs when we are exposed to new ideas, different perspectives, and higher levels of expertise. By inviting smarter people into the conversation or putting yourself in more challenging environments, you create opportunities for improvement.
Dell’s philosophy also reflects effective leadership. Great leaders don’t feel threatened by talent; they actively seek it out. Building a strong team means hiring individuals who can surpass you in certain skills. This promotes innovation, sharper decision-making and long-term success. In the corporate world, companies that encourage open dialogue and diverse thinking are often the ones that stay ahead.
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In addition to business, the offer covers personal development. Whether in academia, professional life, or creative pursuits, stagnation can occur when we remain too comfortable. Choosing “another room” symbolizes stepping outside familiar circles and embracing an environment that develops our abilities.
Dell’s advice encourages intellectual humility. It reminds us that knowledge is not a fixed state but an ongoing journey. The smartest move isn’t about proving you’re the smartest, it’s about making sure you never stop learning.
Who is Michael Dell?
Michael Dell, 65, is the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the world’s leading technology infrastructure companies.
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As of 2025, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index ranks him as the 10th richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $151 billion. Earlier estimates by Forbes in October 2023 indicated that around $50 billion of his wealth came from his 50% stake in Dell and 40% stake in VMware, while the remaining assets were managed by his family investment firm DFO Management.
Dell was born in 1965 in Houston, Texas to a Jewish family. His father, Alexander Dell, was an orthodontist, while his mother, Lorraine Charlotte (née Langfan), worked as a stockbroker. He studied at Herod Elementary School in Houston and showed an early interest in business, even applying for the high school entrance exam at the age of eight. During his early teens, he invested money earned from part-time jobs in stocks and precious metals.
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Dell later attended Memorial High School in Houston, where he sold subscriptions to the Houston Post during the summers. Although his parents hoped he would pursue a career in medicine, he enrolled as a pre-med student at the University of Texas in 1983 to fulfill their expectations.
His children are Zachary Dell, Alexa Dell, Juliette Dell, Kira Dell while wife is Susan Dell.
He serves on the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as well as the Executive Committee of the International Business Council and the US Business Council. He previously served on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, advising the President of the United States on science and technology issues.
On April 20, Texas Governor Greg Abbott named Dell to the Strike Force to Open Texas, a group formed to identify safe and effective strategies for gradually reopening the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also serves as an advisor to the COVID-19 Technology Task Force, a coalition formed in March 2020 of leaders in the technology industry to collaborate on solutions to respond to and recover from the pandemic.
