Although he can see a bit ridiculous and cringe-worthy at times, Michael Scott has some characteristics that we should all try to have. We aren’t all going to end up working at Dunder Mifflin, but that doesn’t mean he can’t use one of our favorite TV characters as a role model. After all, he didn’t get that World’s Best Boss mug for nothing.
1. He’s unapologetically himself.
No one says what’s on his mind quite like Michael Scott. Here are some examples:
“I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.”
“Abraham Lincoln once said that ‘If you’re a racist, I will attack you with the North,’ and these are the principles I carry with me in the workplace.”
“I enjoy having breakfast in bed. I like waking up to the smell of bacon. Sue me. And since I don’t have a butler I have to do it myself… So, most nights before I go to bed, I will lay out six strips of bacon out on my Foreman grill. Then I go to sleep.”
I’m working towards having the confidence that Michael has in himself, but maybe I will use more of a filter as well.
2. He’s creative.
Michael’s creativity is one for the ages. What man has multiple characters that he can whip out at any conference meeting? Michael Klump and Prison Mike are very original; I think that Prison Mike was the only inmate outside of Azkaban to experience Dementors. Michael Scott was also an accomplished movie director. Threat Level: Midnight is a cinematic masterpiece. Only Scott would weave love, revenge, golden men and robot butlers into a movie. Something admirable is that even though he works an office job, Michael stays in touch with his creative side.
3. He cares for his employees
As much as Michael might ridicule his colleagues, they are all his family. I think his relationship with Meredith, the redheaded office drunk, is the best example of his compassion. When he runs poor Meredith over with his car (I know, it doesn’t sound like compassion at first), he organizes the Michael Scott’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For the Cure. Sure, he may have loaded up on carbs too much before the race and vomit in front of everyone at the end of the race, but his heart was in the right place. At the Moroccan Christmas episode, Michael spends his time trying to get Meredith help for her drinking after she catches her hair on fire.
Michael: “But you know what, Meredith, you lit your hair on fire today. What about tomorrow.? What is going to happen when you come into work and you’re dead?”
Dwight:” I stab her in the brain with a wooden stick.”
Although he operates in very unconventional ways, Michael shows us the compassion that we should try to have for others. But maybe we will go without hitting people with our vehicles.
4. He is persistently optimistic
One of my favorite relationships in The Office, one that rivals the relationship goals of Jim and Pam, was Michael and Holly. Michael seemed to know that he loved Holly from the moment they first spoke. When they broke up after deciding to not try a long-distance relationship, I think all of our hearts sank a little bit. Despite breaking up, Michael seemed to know that he and Holly would end up together. Remember the company picnic episode where Michael said that he and she may date other people, but in the end they will end of together? And he was right! We are living in a crazy world right now, but we should all try to look at our glasses half-full instead of sinking in pessimism.
As funny as Steve Carell made Michael Scott, there are important lessons that we can learn about ourselves, but maybe we should leave out the “that’s what she said” jokes.
Photo credits: buisnessnewsdaily.com, Giphy