“Play Nice But Win: A CEO’s Journey From Founder to Leader” is a 2021 memoir from Michael Dell, offering a personal account from his childhood through his time founding then fighting to keep control of his company. Dell is one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time, as one of the foremost leaders in the digital revolution. Known for founding Dell Technologies and revolutionizing the personal computer (PC) industry, Dellshares an unfiltered account of his journey, offering a mix of business lessons, personal anecdotes and reflections on his leadership philosophy. “Play Nice But Win” is the journey of a kid who loved building computers and grew up to be an industry titan. It is the story of the brilliant leader behind one of the world’s most iconic brands.
Born on February 23, 1965, Dell grew up in Houston, where his father was an orthodontist and his mother was first a real estate broker, then a stockbroker. With a fascination for electronics and business early on in his childhood, Dell enjoyed learning about electronics, as well as investing in the stock market. By the summer of 1982, he had an extremely lucrative business upgrading PCs, that he would later establish as PC’s Limited. It would soon manufacture made-to-order PC’s. While running this business, Dell enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1983 as a Biology major. He would only stay a year, before dropping out to pursue business full-time. Two weeks before his final exams in 1984, PC’s Limited became Dell Computer Corporation.
The company would experience a period of rapid growth until the dot-com bubble burst of 2000, which led to stock price declines and other business setbacks. Dell stepped down as CEO in 2004, remaining chairman, before resuming the CEO position in 2007. Despite this, Dell continued to struggle under the constraints of being a public company, which prioritized short-term returns over long-term innovation.
A substantial part of the business memoir revolves around Dell’s high stakes battle to take Dell private in 2013; a bold move that would allow the company to implement transformative changes free from shareholder pressure. His biggest obstacle was activist investor Carl Icahn, who repeatedly deployed tactics to delay the move. Dell developed a deep dislike for Icahn and conceived a variety of unfavorable nicknames for him, including “pirate Carl.” Ultimately, Dell won, taking Dell private on October 29, 2013. This began a new era of growth and innovation, which culminated in its return to the public market on December 28, 2018.
For those interested in entrepreneurship or leading a business, “Play Nice But Win” offers valuable advice and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the complexities of developing and running a global enterprise. Although I do not see my entrepreneurial endeavors taking place in the technology industry, I found Dell’s story to be tremendously inspiring. Even if you do not see yourself in business, the lessons he provides could be applicable to anyone wishing to undertake something big, such as a political or social justice campaign. The insights Dell provides on navigating challenges, building strong teams and focusing on long term goals could be applicable anywhere. “Play Nice But Win” is not just a business memoir — it is a testament to the power of persistence and thoughtful leadership in pursuing ambitious goals, regardless of the field.
