Did Michael Scott Have the Right Idea About Office Culture?

Gwynn Group
Sep 5, 2018 · 6 min read

The unconventional methods of The Office’s cast members surprisingly align with the environment Google has spent years perfecting.

Gwynn Group — September 5, 2018

For those unfamiliar with the popular 2005 sitcom, The Office is a mockumentary based on a “typical” day in the office of a paper company managed by Michael Scott. Throughout the series, Michael’s character was considered highly eccentric, especially in his role as Regional Manager. Under his management, there were frequent non-work-related projects, extreme interest in employee’s personal lives, and mandatory office outings that made the paper company appear bizarre. At first glance, you wouldn’t think it was possible that any work got done at all. Yet, time and time again, the branch proved to be the most productive and profitable. With such successful results, it’s no surprise that some of The Office’s seemingly unusual methods can be found in mega tech companies like Google.

Google is known for their innovative office culture and enticing employee perks. But, what exactly leads this company to be consistently awarded the title of Best Company Culture? With the help of Michael Scott and the rest of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, we’ve narrowed down the top four unique characteristics Google embodies that sets them apart from everyone else.

1. MANAGEMENT STYLE

-Michael Scott (Season 2, Episode 6)

Michael Scott’s approach to management is vastly different from most styles found in corporate settings today. Scott opted for a completely open-door policy in the office, making him accessible to all his employees. He also wasn’t shy about wondering throughout the office, joking with his staff. Usually a rare sight in most cases, these same principles are mirrored in all of Google’s campuses. Google managers can be found on the same floor as the team they’re mentoring, socializing with even the newest employee.

Google, like Scott, believes that this management style provides a better work environment for their employees. Backed by data collected from previous performance reviews, award nominations, feedback, and surveys, Google created a list of eight good managerial behaviors they felt best empowered their employees. Included in the list are “Be a good communicator and listen to your team” and “Express interest in team members’ success and personal well-being.” Michael Scott was nothing if not involved in his employee’s personal well-being (some would say a bit too involved at times). There was never a lapse in communication, and Scott always made sure to put the needs of his staff first. Not only did this result in a lenient environment his employees enjoyed working in, but it also made Scott’s branch the most productive. Google’s undeniable real-world successes and data-driven results provide even further claim to this type of management style.

2. EMPLOYEE HAPPINESS

“Granted, maybe this was not the best idea, but at least we care enough about our employees that we are willing to fight for them.”

— Michael Scott (Season 4, Episode 10)

Throughout The Office series, Michael Scott and the rest of the office found themselves in less than ideal situations. Whether it was driving a pregnant employee to the hospital, covering for a coworker who would otherwise be fired due to their three-month-long absence or setting aside work for an afternoon to solve a personal problem, the small paper company always managed to put each other first. While most situations aren’t as extreme as those found on the sitcom, the concept of employee happiness being a priority remains the same. Understanding this principle, Google has dedicated an entire department to determine what they can do to make their employee’s lives easier.

Over the years, the tech company has tested the correlation between the perks they offer (nap pods, gyms, swimming pools, rock walls, on-site physicians, free breakfast, lunch, and dinner, etc.), the level of satisfaction, and employee productivity. Data analysts pour over whether having naps throughout the day will allow minds to be more refreshed, being active at least once a day will get creative juices flowing or eating healthier snacks will increase brain function. The competition for skilled employees in Google’s industry is cutthroat; they’ve figured out that the most important factor for hiring and retaining employees is ultimately their happiness, and for that, Google spares no expense.

3. THE 150FT RULE

-Michael Scott (Season 4, Episode 2)

A recurring theme for Dunder Mifflin employees is their love for food. In nearly every episode, food is used to celebrate and motivate employees of the company. At least once a season, everyone in the company from the warehouse workers to the sales team come together to commemorate a special occasion and bond over free food and drinks. While cupcakes and pizza are primarily used for comedic relief in the series, Google has found a way to capitalize on the idea. Throughout Google’s campuses, employees are no more than 150 feet away from food at all times. Is Google really that generous or is there more to it? Actually, a little of both.

Google has figured out that, despite their employee’s extreme diversity, the one thing that brings them all together is food. With the choice of free snacks and meals from the cafeteria, campus restaurants, and coffee lounges, employees are bound to run into new coworkers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Google hopes that by creating hubs centered around food, more casual conversations will occur between neighboring employees and different departments, sparking new and inspiring ideas.

4. FUN ENVIRONMENT

-Michael Scott (Season 6, Episode 2)

How many employees would be motivated to come to work and punch the clock for eight hours a day, five days a week, at a boring job with isolated cubicles and plain beige walls? Michael Scott couldn’t even go an hour without creating some sort of entertainment for him and the rest of the office. His relaxed rules and affinity to shake things up, created a fun environment for his employees every day they came in. Google has taken this approach of making work not feel like work and, not only ran, but sprinted with it.

Forget the themed meeting rooms, flexible hours, and massage chairs the tech giant already offers their employees. Google’s dog-friendly campuses are (in our opinion) one of the top reasons their company culture is unmatched. Knowing that the best way to increase employee productivity is to blur the lines between the feeling of work and home, Google has conducted multiple studies on the benefits of bringing dogs to work and other projects like it. Parallel to Scott’s philosophy, Google believes that creating an enjoyable environment where employees actually want to be should come first.


If you’re looking to increase productivity, motivate employees, and improve office culture, take a page from Dunder Mifflin and Google’s playbook. Create a fun environment that feels more like home, switch to an open communication management style or have themed office holidays. Just remember to put your employees first and ALWAYS include free food.

Does your company have any unconventional, Michael Scott inspired policies? Let us know in the comments below and give this post a clap!

Gwynn Group

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