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Play Nice But Win

A CEO's Journey from Founder to Leader

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Play Nice But Win

By: Michael Dell, James Kaplan
Narrated by: Michael Dell
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About this listen

 WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER

From Michael Dell, renowned founder and chief executive of one of America’s largest technology companies, the inside story of the battles that defined him as a leader

In 1984, soon-to-be college dropout Michael Dell hid signs of his fledgling PC business in the bathroom of his University of Texas dorm room. Almost 30 years later, at the pinnacle of his success as founder and leader of Dell Technologies, he found himself embroiled in a battle for his company’s survival. What he’d do next could ensure its legacy—or destroy it completely.

Play Nice But Win is a riveting account of the three battles waged for Dell Technologies: one to launch it, one to keep it, and one to transform it. For the first time, Dell reveals the highs and lows of the company's evolution amidst a rapidly changing industry—and his own, as he matured into the CEO it needed. With humor and humility, he recalls the mentors who showed him how to turn his passion into a business; the competitors who became friends, foes, or both; and the sharks that circled, looking for weakness. What emerges is the long-term vision underpinning his success: that technology is ultimately about people and their potential.

More than an honest portrait of a leader at a crossroads, Play Nice But Win is a survival story proving that while anyone with technological insight and entrepreneurial zeal might build something great—it takes a leader to build something that lasts.
 Business Leadership Management & Leadership Professionals & Academics Technology Survival Success Witty Business Biography
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Great story. Loved it. Shifted my paradigm towards the future of tech. however, some parts seemed childish and resentful towards Carl or Meg. Sounded like unprocessed feelings. Hope you can work through them one day Michael. Here for you. thnx for the beautiful story though.

Great Story

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I thought I knew the story of Dell quite well because of multiple podcasts I had listed to and also at a university we studies various business cases. But this book is a true gem. Michael Dell tells his story and does his the best to be honest and transparent and it the end it makes him very relatable. Also, I was under the impression that the company was no longer a true leader in the computer industry, one of those many pearls of the 2000’s who just did not keep up with the relentless pace of innovation in the computer space. But I know understand that the company, led my Michael Dell in what should be one of the most hardest pivots in corporate America, has succeeded in repositioning the company for growth in an adjacent sector by levering its heritage pc business. Were peers like HP and IBM did not see a way forward with selling PC, Dell proved a true contrarian. As a result he has been able to amass even greater fortunes the recent past years which is just incredible. Many more people should know this story but I guess that Micheal Dell’s preference to not actively seek the spotlight and instead just be a great family man and a business leader (in that order), this story will likely remain an undiscovered gem for many for the next ages. I am glad I found it though.

A true gem

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Michael's early story is fascinating - starting his business in a dorm room with $1,000 and taking on IBM - and winning. Growing the business every year from $6m to $25bn in 18 years.

Unfortunately, that's less than 20% of this book, the majority of which is devoted to boardroom negotiations, corporate shenanigans, and multiple mergers and acquisitions.

boring unless you're interested in mergers and acquisitions

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