Michael Scott of The Office worked at Dunder Mifflin for over 14 years and he eventually climbed his way up the corporate ladder from salesman to regional manager. Due to his outgoing personality and fondness for jokes, Michael's management style seems unruly and mad, but in some ways, it works.
The Scranton branch became one of the most successful branches in the company and it was all thanks to Michael Scott. However, his advice didn't always make sense and wasn't always business-appropriate. But that's not to say he didn't have solid advice for his coworkers from time to time.
Remember: The 'Fool Me Once' Concept
In "Traveling Salesmen," Michael is disturbed when he finds out Dwight could be sneaking behind his back at work. Michael has put his trust in Dwight too many times before and felt like he was being burned with every new olive branch.
In a talking head, Michael meant to say, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." He, instead, said, "Fool me once, strike one, but fool me twice, it's strike three." It's a quote from The Office that will stick with fans forever, and even though he got the saying wrong, the sentiment isn't. A manager should place their trust in their employees, but when that trust is taken advantage of, it's time to do something.
Forget: His System For Remembering Names
When Michael tries poaching clients from Dunder Mifflin, Dwight tries to compete by taking Michael's notecards on each client and using them against him. Michael kept notes on each client so that he knew what to talk about with them and what to say away from.
It's a small detail that Michael's employees missed while working with him. However, without running the notes by Michael, Dwight blurted out everything on the notecard, which ended up offending the client. Michael's advice for color-coding facts about what not to say clients should be left in the dust. Instead, he should have just stuck to the positive things.
Remember: Every Client Is An Important Client
In "Product Recall," Michael and the rest of Dunder Mifflin were under scrutiny when a mistake slipped through the cracks. Due to Creed not doing his job at the Scranton branch, an obscene watermark was allowed on thousands of pieces of paper and sent to various clients.
One client, in particular, was irate and felt that Michael should resign. Michael took the high road and advised, "Mrs. Allen is our most important client … because every client is our most important client." He later notes that Mrs. Allen isn't that important but she should be treated as such because it's good for the company, which isn't bad advice.
Forget: "Make Love Third" While At Work
Some of the funniest scenes in The Office are when Michael Scott gives advice because it's not always good. For Michael, he advises new employees to "make friends first, make sales second, make love third."
And while making friends and sales are great office practices, the third just doesn't work. And regardless of the order, the advice of "make love third" is not suitable for a job in the slightest.
Remember: You'll Never Know How High You Can Soar Without Taking Chances
One of the sweetest friendships in The Office was that between Michael and Pam. The two forged a tighter bond when they ventured off to create the Michael Scott Paper Company together before adding Ryan to the mix.
As a way to inspire his two employees, Michael wrote words of wisdom on their office's whiteboard by NHL legend, Wayne Gretzky. Funny enough, he wrote his name under Wayne's as if he was saying Wayne's words on his behalf. Regardless of Michael's funny advice, the quote is incredibly encouraging.
Forget: We Cannot Learn From Books
In "Business School," Michael is proud of himself when Ryan asks him to speak in front of his business class, regarding managing the paper company. However, what could have ended with some of Michael's best advice ended with him embarrassing himself instead.
In front of the class, Michael borrowed a student's textbook and said, "You cannot learn from books. Replace those pages with life lessons. And then you will have a book that's worth its weight in gold." Telling an entire class that they cannot learn from books was entirely misleading and the moment turned into one of Michael's saddest moments.
Remember: Know When To Let Loose
As a good manager, Michael knows when his employees need a break from the daily grind. He organized a booze cruise as a way for his workers to let loose and mingle. "Sometimes you have to take a break from being the kind of boss who is always trying to teach people things. Sometimes you have to just be the boss of dancing," he said.
And he's not wrong. Michael's advice to "take a break" from being a boss and being more relatable to his employees was smart.
Forget: Showing Up Unannounced
It was one of the saddest moments in Ryan's life when he failed at his job and felt there was no way out but to fool the shareholders. But before his imprisonment, Ryan launched Dunder Mifflin's website, Dunder Mifflin Infinity.
Michael was not a fan of the new technology and wanted to prove Ryan wrong. He suggested sending out gift baskets to former clients in hopes of getting them to work with Dunder Mifflin again, but was met with resistance. His advice was to show up unannounced, deliver a basket, and pressure them to reconsider. However, showing up to a business unannounced is not the best advice.
Remember: Business Is About Human Connections
While Michael's last piece of advice in "Dunder Mifflin Infinity" was bad, this one made a lot of sense. He told the camera that "Life and business are about human connection," and he's right.
While computers and phones are wonderful sources of technology, nothing can beat a meeting face-to-face. This piece of advice is what made Michael such a good employee, at times.
Forget: Risky Business
In one cold open, Ryan is told to come into work early and grab a breakfast sandwich for Michael. With it being so early, they're the only two in the office. When Ryan asks Michael why he was asked to come into work early, Michael said it was just for the sandwich ... The look on Ryan's face said it all. With these two being so different, they had great chemistry on-screen.
Ryan wasn't sure what to do since he was already at work so early, so Michael advised him to run around the office Risky Business style: "Take your pants off, run around. Whatever you gotta do." However, treating the office as his home is the last piece of advice Michael should have given Ryan. Instead, decided to take a nap in his car.