3 Lessons in Management From Michael Scott’s Alter Egos

The Office is possibly the most beloved and successful comedy mockumentary of the American office-style work environment. The everyday lives of employees are tested throughout nine seasons at Dunder Mifflin, a fictional paper company, run by incompetent branch manager Michael Scott.

Almost immediately, it becomes apparent that Michael is a shining example of how not to manage an office, despite how comical he can be. His most famous managerial technique must not be ignored: his invention of alter egos based on the situation at hand to help teach his subordinates a valuable lesson. Here are a few management lessons you can learn from Michael’s top three alter egos.

Management Lesson 1: Be Confident

One of Michael Scott’s most infamous alter egos is Prison Mike. Prison Mike emerges when Michael gets frustrated with Martin, a new employee who has been to prison before and how he describes his time in prison before he worked for Dunder Mifflin.

The receptionist, Pam, teasingly suggests prison sounds better than working in the office because the prisoners got outside time and took art classes. The character Michael creates is meant to help his employees understand a very important point: that prison is, in fact, worse than Dunder Mifflin.

Michael cannot comprehend why anyone wouldn’t love working at Dunder Mifflin, especially under his management, and therefore becomes furious when the office is compared to prison. The drama ends with Toby of human resources reminding Michael that the staff is simply teasing him, and it’s just playful employee banter. What can we learn from Michael’s (humorous) lack of a sense of humor?

Only insecure managers would see employee banter of this nature as a threat to the culture of the office or as a criticism of their management skills. Confident managers recognize the difference between playful criticism and truly unhappy employees and would take the time to check in to ensure their team members are doing well.

Management Lesson 2: Be Inspiring and Motivating

Michael Scott is awkward both in the office and out and always has been. But magic is the way he tries to relate to and entertain the world around him as the out of luck magician, Michael the Magic (not to be confused with Magic Mike).

Not only does Michael the Magic have a penchant for magic, he believes he can keep his employees entertained and engaged by performing magic tricks and reminding them of the magic of sales at the most in-opportune times.

Since Michael is terrible at reading people, he never notices how deeply his employees loathe his magic tricks. Despite how much time, money, and energy he puts into magic for the sake of connecting with his team, it’s not the way they want to connect with him or with their work. Every attempt is a waste of time in the eyes of the employees—something Michael does not see and will never accept.

But Michael is right about one thing: finding ways to inspire and motivate your team is essential, but it’s important to do so in a way that connects with and actively entertains them. Remember to take time to notice and celebrate your employees when they deserve to be recognized.

Management Lesson 3: Be Respectful

In the episode Weight Loss: Part 2, Dunder Mifflin’s employees participate in a company-wide weight loss competition to see which branch can lose the most weight collectively for a prize. While it may be clear now that weight loss challenges can cause a poor body image culture, it took several of the employees getting sick and mistreated for it to become clear there was a problem.

Then Michael makes it his mission to ensure all the employees know they are beautiful just the way they are. Although his intentions are good, his attempt to boost morale by encouraging a healthy lifestyle and body positivity were thwarted by the insulting appearance of his Michael Klump character.

In a partially-inflated sumo suit underneath his business suit, Michael Klump was once an alter ego that made fun of obese people. When he reappears, however, Michael Klump exists for the sole purpose of celebrating body image. Where did Michael go wrong in all of this?

One of the most important aspects of being a boss and maintaining office morale is building a bond of trust with your employees. Using a body image competition to then go on and tease employees is the quickest way to lose trust and respect on your team. When your employees respects each other and feelings are honored, it creates a united team.

a little stitious

While we don’t recommend introducing your own versions of Michael’s alter egos in an effort to improve the quality of your workplace, knowing what not to do can put your own actions into the right perspective.

Consider which of the Michael Scott alter egos might reflect real actions and behaviors in your office, readjust your attitudes and behaviors as needed, and make sure to show your employees the respect necessary to truly maintain good office morale.

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