The Office Installation #1: Michael Scott's Guide to Being the Best Boss Ever

Listen To and Respect Your Employees

Hear them out. Know where they are at. How else will you know what they are reporting on back to Corporate?

I think Michael demonstrates listening and respect perfectly in the two examples to the left.

Notice how with Toby, he listens for a few seconds and then abruptly cuts him off. In conversation with Toby and others, he constantly brings up embarrassing tales from Toby’s personal life.

These two strategies synergize together to crush Toby’s fragile soul and ensure he’ll never have the self-confidence to formally complain about Michael’s management techniqes. Brilliant.

With Darryl, Michael goes above and beyond to, well, go beyond any racial barriers that might exist in the branch.

Note how the respect he pays to Darryl leads to unexpected perks, like the little nuggets of ghetto wisdom Darryl so generously bestows upon Michael.

You can’t buy your way into information like that, you have to earn it.

I think we know what this spells, people: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Always Be Appropriate; Set the Tone for Appropriate Staff Interactions

You might not realize it, but Michael doesn’t ALWAYS succeed at this.

No sir, being appropriate for 8 hours a day takes constant focus and commitment. Even the most dedicated boss can slip up now and again.

I think the most important things to learn from the montage to the right are that 1. Trying to be appropriate goes a long way 2. When you make a point out of being proper  with your team, they will surely follow suit.

And 3. Keep trying. Remember, there is no “FAIL” in “MICHAEL”. So there shouldn’t be in you, either.

Always Pick A Loyal Informant and Confidante To Aid You In Your Directives

Have Lots of Office Get-Togethers To Break Up The Monotony

Because these little parties always end well. Whether it is a holiday or someone’s birthday, or even a baby shower for a child that’s not his, Michael knows when to take time out of the daily grind to celebrate.

He is also wise enough to feel when the team needs a special something extra, like a yoga class or special seminar.

Dress The Part

Have you ever seen Michael Scott roll in to work in some crazy, informal outfit? Well, there were special circumstances around that day. That one, too.

Anyway, on the whole, Michael is always nattily dressed and well put together. This helps whatever comes out of his mouth seem more professional and less ridiculous.

Even when he is dressed down, it is intentional. It is intentionally signaling something to the team. Something like, “Doesn’t my butt look awesome in these jeans?”

Blur the Lines Between Your Work and Personal Life. It Helps Your Staff Really Know Who You Are

The learning here is to hide nothing. Really, your personal life is a reflection of your work life and vice versa, right? So don’t compartmentalize! Blend the two together until they become indistinguishable!

Though this takes some doing, you will find that in the end, your staff will not only respect you more, but also know what to expect from you.

I guess the learning here could also be that if you are strong, and bold, and courageous enough to get personal with your staff, you will be rewarded with getting to sleep with two of them. I’m sure that message is just accidental though . . .

Well, I hope that this guide has been informative. Look forward to Installation #2:

The Office Installation #2: Dwight’s Guide to Interpersonal Relations.

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