The influence of relationships

The best rooms in life aren’t the ones where you're the smartest - but the ones filled with people who help you grow. Michael Dell shares a powerful reminder that real success is rooted in relationships.

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Great News Day Team
April 11, 2025

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We often hear that success is about talent, timing, and drive but behind every great leap forward is often a network of people who inspire, challenge, and elevate us. In this reflection, tech visionary Michael Dell reminds us that growth doesn’t happen in isolation - it happens in connection. Whether in business or in life, the quality of your relationships can transform your trajectory.

“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.”

Source: Dell, Michael S. University of Texas. Austin Tower. Austin, Texas. 17 May 2003. Commencement Address.

⚡A Great News Day Powerful Takeaway

You don’t need to know everything. You just need to know the power of surrounding yourself with people who light you up, lift you up, and level you up. The most meaningful growth often begins with a conversation, a connection, or a courageous invitation to learn from someone else. Greatness multiplies in great company.

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