What not to do in ‘The Office’

Michael Scott, the boss played by Steve Carell on NBC's "The Office," takes quirkiness and incompetence to new heights. As regional manager of the Scranton, Pa., branch of paper supply company Dunder-Mifflin, Michael demonstrates total ignorance of the rules of business and basic human interaction, all the while maintaining his sense of infallibility. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

Here are some of the biggest mistakes Michael has made and what real bosses can learn from them.

1. Don't tell everyone the boat is sinking when it's not.
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, a passenger dives overboard and the captain handcuffs Michael and banishes him to a far corner of the boat. Whether the boat you're referring to is real or just a metaphor, motivational speeches should not put everyone around you in panic mode. You don't want your employees or your clients jumping ship just because you like being the center of attention. Focus on something more positive.

2. Don't blackmail employees into doing your laundry.
To reprimand Dwight for allegedly stabbing him in the back, Michael forces him to do his laundry every week. Never mind that Michael is paranoid and delusional. No matter how much you dislike someone, don't let disciplinary measures turn into a personal vendetta. Dwight is actually the one person in the office who fully supports Michael's hare-brained schemes. Singling out employees for demeaning treatment is the mark of a toxic boss. If you're having a problem with an employee, turn it over to the guys in HR.

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3. Don't try to steal the show at an employee's wedding.
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. It's important to recognize that sometimes the spotlight belongs to someone else. Michael is the type of boss who takes all the credit for his branch's success and never takes any of the blame for its failures. Being a good boss involves being part of a team and learning when to let an employee outshine you.

Another thing to keep in mind: 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.

4. Don't rip up students' textbooks at a college lecture.
When Ryan invites Michael to speak at one of his college classes, Michael tells the students that college is useless and tears the pages out of a textbook to illustrate his point. While there is no substitute for real world experience, business school is still an impressive part of any resume. You should 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.

5. Try to avoid accidentally dressing in drag.
Michael thinks he found a great new suit on sale, but the other employees soon realize it was made for a woman. Looking professional is important in gaining the respect of employees and superiors. And if you're anything like Michael, you don't need to give people any more excuses to belittle you. Make sure your shirts are ironed and your socks match, and check the label carefully before buying anything from the bargain bin.

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