QuoteProject
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
ShareWTF𝕏

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.

More from Michael Dell

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.
Michael DellRead
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.
Michael DellRead
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.
Michael DellRead
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.
Michael DellRead
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.
Michael DellRead
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

Similar quotes

If I had to pick my greatest strength as a football coach, I say it would be innovation.
Tom LandryRead
I think, as athletes, we've been given a platform, and we can use it in a lot of different ways. We can use it for negative. We can use it for positive. We can be indifferent. But if you've been given a platform, I think God is pleased when you share... His truth in love.
Benjamin WatsonRead
People and organizations don't grow much without delegation and completed staff work because they are confined to the capacities of the boss and reflect both personal strengths and weaknesses.
Stephen CoveyRead
One of the most important actions, things a leader can do, is to lead by example. If you want everyone else to be passionate, committed, dedicated, and motivated, you go first!
Marshall GoldsmithRead
The best way to revive a church is to build a fire in the pulpit.
Dwight L. MoodyRead
When women apply for a job, we ask ourselves, 'Am I qualified? Do I have the experience? Do I have the education? Do I have the abilities?' When a man looks at that job, he thinks, 'How much does it pay?' We need to stop second-guessing our abilities. We need to stand up and make ourselves heard.
Catherine Cortez MastoRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.