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What You Can Learn from NBC's The Office

  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> When Michael takes everyone on a booze cruise to motivate the team, he tries to make a point by pretending the ship is about to sink. Pandemonium ensues.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Whether the boat you're referring to is real or just a metaphor for your company, motivational speeches should not put everyone around you in panic mode. Focus on something more positive.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> To reprimand Dwight for allegedly stabbing him in the back, Michael forces him to do his laundry every week.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> No matter how much you dislike someone, don't let disciplinary measures turn into a personal vendetta. Let the guys in HR handle that.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> At Phyllis's wedding, Michael tries to make the day about him by interrupting the ceremony and making an embarrassing toast that ends with the groom attacking him.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Sometimes the spotlight belongs to someone else. Also, don't let employees trick you into thinking you have a part in their wedding just so they can get extra vacation days for their honeymoon.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> When Ryan invites Michael to speak at one of his college classes, Michael tells the students college is useless and tears the pages out of a textbook to illustrate his point. </p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Never underestimate the power of an education. In the final episode of Season 3, Ryan gets the last laugh by landing a job Michael thought would be his.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> Michael thinks he found a great new suit on sale, but the other employees soon realize it was made for a woman.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Looking professional is important in gaining the respect of employees and your superiors. Check the label carefully before buying anything from the bargain bin.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> A client refuses to accept a voucher for free paper after Dunder-Mifflin issues a product recall, so Michael tells her to call the "Ungrateful Beeyotch Hotline" at a press conference.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Name calling is no way to win over a client, especially in front of the press. It's not true that all publicity is good publicity.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> After receiving some dating advice from the female employees, Michael decides to thank them with a trip to Victoria's Secret.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Establishing boundaries with employees is crucial for maintaining a professional working environment. Stick with less risqué gifts, like coffee mugs and restaurant gift certificates.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> Michael thinks he's getting a big promotion so he devises a series of tasks, including a fire walk and a hot dog eating contest, to choose his successor.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Make sure performance evaluations are relevant and humane. An employee's worth should not be judged by how many pork products he or she can stomach.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> As he heads to his interview for a job at Dunder-Mifflin's corporate headquarters, Michael reveals he has sold his home to the highest bidder.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Aside from the fact that eBay probably doesn't make the best real estate agent, don't rearrange your whole life around a job you might not get. It will save you a great deal of hassle in the long run.</p>
  • <p><strong>Michael's Mistake:</strong> Although Michael claims it was an accident when he runs over Meredith with a company car, the other employees have their doubts.</p> <p><strong>The Lesson:</strong> Taking out your aggression on your employees is a good way to get yourself fired and your company sued. Leave your personal problems at home.</p>
  • 01 /10

    Michael's Mistake: When Michael takes everyone on a booze cruise to motivate the team, he tries to make a point by pretending the ship is about to sink. Pandemonium ensues.

    The Lesson: Whether the boat you're referring to is real or just a metaphor for your company, motivational speeches should not put everyone around you in panic mode. Focus on something more positive.

  • 02 /10

    Michael's Mistake: To reprimand Dwight for allegedly stabbing him in the back, Michael forces him to do his laundry every week.

    The Lesson: No matter how much you dislike someone, don't let disciplinary measures turn into a personal vendetta. Let the guys in HR handle that.

  • 03 /10

    Michael's Mistake: At Phyllis's wedding, Michael tries to make the day about him by interrupting the ceremony and making an embarrassing toast that ends with the groom attacking him.

    The Lesson: Sometimes the spotlight belongs to someone else. Also, don't let employees trick you into thinking you have a part in their wedding just so they can get extra vacation days for their honeymoon.

  • 04 /10

    Michael's Mistake: When Ryan invites Michael to speak at one of his college classes, Michael tells the students college is useless and tears the pages out of a textbook to illustrate his point.

    The Lesson: Never underestimate the power of an education. In the final episode of Season 3, Ryan gets the last laugh by landing a job Michael thought would be his.

  • 05 /10

    Michael's Mistake: Michael thinks he found a great new suit on sale, but the other employees soon realize it was made for a woman.

    The Lesson: Looking professional is important in gaining the respect of employees and your superiors. Check the label carefully before buying anything from the bargain bin.

  • 06 /10

    Michael's Mistake: A client refuses to accept a voucher for free paper after Dunder-Mifflin issues a product recall, so Michael tells her to call the "Ungrateful Beeyotch Hotline" at a press conference.

    The Lesson: Name calling is no way to win over a client, especially in front of the press. It's not true that all publicity is good publicity.

  • 07 /10

    Michael's Mistake: After receiving some dating advice from the female employees, Michael decides to thank them with a trip to Victoria's Secret.

    The Lesson: Establishing boundaries with employees is crucial for maintaining a professional working environment. Stick with less risqué gifts, like coffee mugs and restaurant gift certificates.

  • 08 /10

    Michael's Mistake: Michael thinks he's getting a big promotion so he devises a series of tasks, including a fire walk and a hot dog eating contest, to choose his successor.

    The Lesson: Make sure performance evaluations are relevant and humane. An employee's worth should not be judged by how many pork products he or she can stomach.

  • 09 /10

    Michael's Mistake: As he heads to his interview for a job at Dunder-Mifflin's corporate headquarters, Michael reveals he has sold his home to the highest bidder.

    The Lesson: Aside from the fact that eBay probably doesn't make the best real estate agent, don't rearrange your whole life around a job you might not get. It will save you a great deal of hassle in the long run.

  • 10 /10

    Michael's Mistake: Although Michael claims it was an accident when he runs over Meredith with a company car, the other employees have their doubts.

    The Lesson: Taking out your aggression on your employees is a good way to get yourself fired and your company sued. Leave your personal problems at home.

Liz Webber 12.19.07 11:09 AM

Michael's Mistake: When Michael takes everyone on a booze cruise to motivate the team, he tries to make a point by pretending the ship is about to sink. Pandemonium ensues.

The Lesson: Whether the boat you're referring to is real or just a metaphor for your company, motivational speeches should not put everyone around you in panic mode. Focus on something more positive.

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