1+1: Michael Scott, underrated boss + How to get rich quick

Here's one leadership idea and one resource I’ve found beneficial in the past two weeks:

1 idea: Michael Scott, underrated boss 

Michael Scott might be the most underrated boss of all time. Hear me out.

In recent years, Steve Carell’s character on the hit show The Office has received his share of hate. As a result of growing cancel culture, this goodhearted regional manager of Dunder Mifflin has been called misogynistic, homophobic, and insensitive. Business types argue that he is bad with money, unsophisticated, and technologically inept. And it’s beyond debate that he lacks even average intelligence or common sense.

All those things are true. And yet, Michael Scott is the most underrated boss of all time for one major reason: he throws the best birthday parties.

Arguably the most important skill a leader can have is caring for their team. Michael not only cared deeply about his people by relentlessly prying into their personal lives, but he never forgot their birthdays. Each year, the individual would even get to choose the type of cake that everyone enjoyed, and then they'd dance around the room in front of their coworkers. Michael made his people feel special, even if it was only for one day a year.

In a world that is increasingly impersonal, this deep investment into relationships makes up for a whole host of other failures. Research conducted post-COVID now shows that the single-best way to retain top talent and drive productivity is by celebrating your people individually at least annually.

Yes, Michael probably cost the company millions when he left in a huff and formed a competing company. Sure, his toxic romantic relationship with his boss created a lawsuit for his employer, and his insensitivity drove away many employees. But when you think of all his failures, never forget the cake. As Michael said, “Business is always personal. It’s the most personal thing in the world.”

If Michael could read this email tribute himself, there's one thing he would certainly say: "April Fools."

1 resource: How to get rich quick

If you’re looking to boost your income overnight through a lucrative side business, Michael Scott offers a tutorial on how to do so here. (And no, it's definitely not a pyramid scheme.)

PS: The serious history of April Fools.