9 Red Flags That You’re the Michael Scott of Your Business (And How to Fix It)
So You Started a Business… But Accidentally Made Yourself the Punchline
You had a vision. You built the thing. You wear all the hats.
And now? You’re wondering why everything breaks when you take a day off.
We’re not saying you’re literally Michael Scott.
But if you’ve got 27 tabs open, a team that’s confused but polite, and a calendar full of fire drills you created… then yeah, you might be the problem.
No judgment – just truth.
Here are 9 red flags you’re the Michael Scott of your business… and how to fix them before your company turns into Dunder Mifflin 2.0.
🚩 1. You’re Still the Only One Who Knows What’s Going On
If you got hit by a bus (or just took a vacation), would your business survive?
Michael loved being needed. But being the only person with all the answers isn’t leadership — it’s liability.
Fix it:
Document everything. Delegate with trust. Build systems so your business doesn’t depend on your memory, mood, or availability.
🚩 2. Every Task Goes Through You
You’ve created a funnel where everything — approvals, ideas, questions, even receipts — bottlenecks at your inbox.
That’s not leadership. That’s control disguised as “just being thorough.”
Fix it:
Empower your team with clear decision-making frameworks. If they can’t make a move without you, that’s a culture issue — not a competence issue.
🚩 3. You Confuse Busyness With Productivity
You’re booked, busy, and bragging about working late.
But are you moving the needle or just spinning in circles?
Michael always looked busy. He also started the day with improv class and ended it with “fun run” planning.
Fix it:
Prioritize high-impact tasks. Time-block like a CEO, not a glorified assistant. Set real boundaries — for yourself and your team.
🚩 4. You’re the Star of Every Meeting
If your meetings are just you monologuing while others nod, congrats — you’ve built a stage, not a team.
Fix it:
Shut up. Listen more. Build meetings where people come with solutions, not just problems. Leadership isn’t about having the mic — it’s about knowing when to pass it.
🚩 5. Your Team’s Confused, but No One’s Telling You
They smile. They nod. But you can tell — they’re not clear on priorities.
Michael was great at keeping morale high. But direction? Not so much.
Fix it:
Clarity is kindness. Write down your expectations. Share real KPIs. Build feedback loops where honesty isn’t punished — it’s invited.
🚩 6. You Say “I’ll Just Do It” Way Too Often
You’re moving fast. You want it done right. So instead of delegating, you grab the wheel.
And suddenly, you’re doing 14 things no one even hired you to do.
Fix it:
Slow down to speed up. Teach instead of takeover. If you don’t have time to train someone, that’s a sign you really need to.
🚩 7. You’ve Hired People… But You Don’t Let Them Own Anything
You’ve got a team. But you still hover. Micromanage. Rewrite their emails. Approve every tiny task.
That’s not delegation — that’s babysitting.
Fix it:
Ownership is a skill. Let them lead a project start-to-finish — without you “just checking in.” People rise when they’re trusted.
🚩 8. You’re Always “Putting Out Fires”
If everything feels urgent, nothing really is.
Michael thrived on chaos. You don’t have to.
Fix it:
Build a proactive business, not a reactive one. Create processes. Batch decisions. Fireproof your calendar so you’re not always in panic mode.
🚩 9. You Think Your Team’s Lucky to Have You
This one stings. But if you believe you’re the smartest person in the room — or that your team wouldn’t survive without you — that’s not confidence. That’s ego.
Michael loved being liked. But he needed to be needed.
Fix it:
Flip the script. Your job is to serve your team, not the other way around. Hire people smarter than you. Then let them be smarter than you.
🛠 Final Thought: Be the Visionary. Not the Bottleneck.
You didn’t start your business to run in circles, hoard control, or burn out keeping it all afloat.
Michael Scott is fun on TV. But in real life, that kind of leadership burns bridges, budgets, and teams.
The fix?
Build systems. Delegate with intention. Lead like someone who actually wants their business to grow without them doing everything.
Because true leadership isn’t about being needed.
It’s about building something that works — even when you’re not in the room.
