With ‘Play Nice But Win,’ Michael Dell Is Trying to Be Nice

So, in the end, you feel like you were able to “play nice” with him?

Let’s not forget the full title of the book. There’s also the “winning” part.

Shareholders were paramount around some of your big transactions, but the end of the book talks a lot more about broader concerns: stakeholders, diversity, climate change. Does this reflect your evolution as a leader?

Stating the obvious, companies are now asked to participate in a much wider set of issues. I think some of the issues were natural ones for Dell even 30 years ago. I talk a lot about clean materials and recycling. And I mean, we’ve sold like 800 million-plus PCs. That’s a lot of things out there with my name on it. And if they all end up in a ditch somewhere destroying the environment, that’s going to give me nightmares.

Also, if you look at our world today, there’s a massive shortage of talent, particularly the advanced skilled talent in technology. That’s an economic opportunity, but it’s also an equality opportunity.

You were one of the first heads of a major company to speak out about voting rights in Texas. What motivated that?

If you’re not going to stand up for voting in a democracy, that doesn’t feel right. Voting is the most fundamental part of a democratic society.

Would you have done the same if this sort of legislation was happening back in the 1990s?

I think 30 years ago it probably wasn’t as common for companies to be involved in environmental, social and governance-type issues.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/business/dealbook/michael-dell-book.html