The Board prevents that, as well as American corporate law. The American corporation is a series of checks and balances - the Board checks the CEO. Dell is in

The Board prevents that, as well as American corporate law. The American corporation is a series of checks and balances - the Board checks the CEO. Dell is in a unique position because Michael Dell owns so much of the company, 14%. It would have been difficult, next to impossible, to dismiss him from the Board. However, it would not have been as difficult to dismiss him from the title of CEO. Even private companies have a Board, so the same situation exists today. Likely just new people on the Board, along with Michael Dell.