Michael Dell, CEO and Chairman of Dell Industries, knows from experience how small investments can pay off big.
At age 19, Mr. Dell spent $1,000 on old computer parts and founded the company out of his dorm room at the University of Texas at Austin. As of Thursday morning, the company’s market capitalization was $90.14 billion, making Mr. Dell the 11th richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $147 billion, according to Bloomberg.
He and his wife, Susan Dell, announced Tuesday that they will donate a portion of their wealth, totaling $6.25 billion, to investment accounts for approximately 25 million American children. The donation expands the number of children eligible for the Invest America Act, which creates a $1,000 seed investment account for infants born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028.
The so-called Trump Account, which accumulates compound interest and can be cashed out when a child turns 18, has received bipartisan support in Congress. Parents will be able to open an account and donate starting July 4, 2026.
The Dells’ gift is to create an account with a seed amount of $250 for each American child born before January 1, 2025, under the age of 10. It is the largest gift ever given to American children, according to Invest America, a nonprofit advocacy group partnering with the Dells.
Following a set of principles and leaning into certain personality traits is a big factor in her success, Dell wrote in an October 6, 2021 CNBC Make It article. Here are his six rules for a fulfilling career and life:
be a team player
Being a good team player can promote individual and team success, Dell writes. Working well with others often means treating co-workers with respect and fairness, while being humble and honest, he said.
It’s okay to feel irritated at work, but don’t stay angry. Anger is counterproductive. Instead, be motivated by a desire to help others. ” Dell wrote.
Be curious and be ready to change
“It’s so important to always keep learning and have big ears,” Dell wrote, adding: “Never try to be the smartest person in the room. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, teach you, inspire you, and push you to be the best you can be.”
Trying to be more curious, especially about the customer experience, will also help you keep pace with fast-paced change. This is the most important skill for anyone who wants to get ahead in the workforce, writes Dell.
“There are only the fast and the dead,” he wrote. “Organizations must constantly reinvent themselves and understand and anticipate all the factors that will impact them in the future, including technology.”
Become a trustworthy person
To be successful, Dell writes, you must be trusted, adhere to a set of ethics, and act with integrity. He added that people are allowed to change their minds after making a decision, but they should make decisions objectively based on what the facts and data tell them.
“Without[trust]you cannot succeed over time,” Dell writes. “Markets are efficient in the long run. If I make a promise and don’t keep it, or deliver a bad product or service, no one will want to buy from me again.”
Be resilient and work hard
Dell writes that you need to be dedicated, driven, gutsy, and determined to “win” at everything you do. You must also be able to take a metaphorical punch, get back up and keep fighting, he wrote.
“Success is a terrible teacher,” he wrote. “Setbacks and failures can make you stronger over time if you learn from them.”
It helps to feel positive about the future, he added. “If you find ways to cultivate optimism within yourself, you’ll be happier.”
Don’t be afraid to take risks and make mistakes
Dell writes that experimentation and risk-taking are part of growing up, and mistakes teach us how to pivot and redirect our attention.
“Never let a good crisis go to waste,” he wrote. “Focus on what you can control. Crises often create new opportunities.”
Rejoice but never be satisfied
Dell writes that he likes to say this at work: “Be happy, but never satisfied.” In other words, if you want to succeed, you need to continually improve.
“The Japanese call it kaizen,” he wrote. “It means participating in a race without a finish line. Celebrate and be grateful for your accomplishments, but always keep your eyes on the next big goal or opportunity.”
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