World's Best Boss or Stuff of Nightmares?

Michael Scott terrifies me.

But not as much as you getting these emails if you don’t want them. If this isn’t your jam, click unsubscribe below. Easy peasy.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way…

If you're unfamiliar, Michael Scott is the bumbling General Manager of Dunder Mifflin, a modest paper company featured on the hit syndicated show The Office.

Portrayed by the hilarious Steve Carell, Michael is a caricature of everything wrong with management in corporate America. The show’s success lies in our ability to laugh at his unimaginable, inappropriate, and often downright foolish behavior—yet that behavior and the Dunder Mifflin office vibes often feel waaaay too familiar. For many, The Office is real, making Michael’s antics cringe-worthy and oddly relatable.

My biggest fear? That someone might think I acted in a Michaelesque way. I often ask myself, “What would Michael do?” and steer clear of those options (and avoid any impromptu HR meetings). Is “Michaelphobia” a real thing? Maybe not, but it seems like an appropriate label for my anxiety about being perceived as an idiot by colleagues who don’t respect me.

Thankfully, Michael Scott is a fictional character. Still, I highlight him for a reason—there’s an epidemic of unskilled “leaders” who find themselves in positions with peoples’ futures in their hands but without the disposition, character, or skills to lead them.

“Michaels” are everywhere, turning workplaces into sitcoms. There are evil “Michaels” too, making work toxic and soul-sucking. When we take the time to understand what makes “Michael” so doofy and inept, we uncover what makes capable and effective leaders and, in the process, unlock potential.

If you’re looking for a place to start building your leadership skills and avoid the Michael Scott label, here’s a must-read banger: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown.

If you’re serious about being a better leader and want this book, just reply to this email and let me know. I’ll give a completely free, no-strings-attached copy to the FIRST FIVE PEOPLE in the format of your choice (e.g., Kindle, Audible, or paperback).

Pretty cool, right?

If you've never watched The Office, you need to. If you have, do you have a “Michael” (or several) in your company?

Is it you? 🫣

Go get ‘em! 🚀

—Brenden
#GSD