Why does Michael Scott hate Toby?
Michael Scott harbors a deep antipathy for Toby throughout “The Office”, but the reasons for it are somewhat of a mystery. In this post, we use James Burnham’s “The Managerial Revolution” to explore the sources of this hatred. To summarize, Michael's hostility towards Toby can be seen as a reaction to the growing influence of HR professionals in the workplace. HR has become more important in recent years as organizations have recognized the importance of employee engagement and well-being. This shift in power may be threatening to middle managers like Michael, who are used to being the sole decision-makers in their domain.
James Burnham's "Managerial Revolution" argues that the rise of the managerial class has transformed society, with middle managers and HR professionals being key players in this transformation. Michael Scott's antagonistic relationship with Toby can be analyzed through the lens of Burnham's ideas, highlighting the conflict between two different types of managerial power.
Middle managers like Michael were part of the first wave of the managerial revolution, and they were initially empowered to make decisions and manage their subordinates as they saw fit. However, as organizations grew in size and complexity, and legal and regulatory pressures increased, it became necessary to introduce a new class of managers who were focused on managing risk and compliance, such as HR managers like Toby.
This shift in power was likely threatening to middle managers like Michael, who were used to having more autonomy and control over their domain. Michael's desire to flout Toby's procedures and rule the office in a more personal style can be seen as a reaction to this shift in power. He may feel that Toby's rules and procedures are unnecessary or burdensome, and he may see them as getting in the way of his ability to manage his team effectively.
This conflict between Michael and Toby reflects the tension between two different approaches to management: the more traditional, top-down approach favored by middle managers like Michael, and the more modern, collaborative approach favored by HR professionals like Toby. Ultimately, this tension can be seen as a symptom of the ongoing evolution of the managerial revolution, as organizations continue to adapt to new challenges and pressures.
Consider a few examples from “The Office”.
Example 1: In the episode "Casual Friday," Michael institutes a new policy allowing employees to wear casual clothes to work on Fridays. However, Toby informs him that the policy violates the dress code established by corporate headquarters. Michael becomes angry and accuses Toby of being a killjoy, saying that the policy is meant to boost morale.
Analysis: This example highlights the tension between Michael's desire to make decisions that he feels are best for his team's morale, and Toby's obligation to enforce corporate policies and procedures. Michael sees the dress code policy as overly restrictive and unnecessary, while Toby sees it as a necessary component of managing risk and compliance. This conflict can be seen as a manifestation of the broader power struggle between middle managers and HR professionals for control over the workplace.
Example 2: In the episode "Frame Toby," Michael becomes angry when Toby returns to the office after a brief absence. Michael has a longstanding grudge against Toby and sees his return as an intrusion. He becomes increasingly hostile toward Toby and eventually frames him for drug possession in order to get him fired.
Analysis: This example highlights the personal animosity between Michael and Toby, as well as Michael's tendency to flout Toby's procedures and policies. Michael sees Toby as an obstacle to his personal goals and objectives, rather than as a valuable member of the management team. This conflict can be seen as a reaction to the growing influence of HR professionals like Toby in the workplace, and Michael's desire to maintain his autonomy and control over his team.
Example 3: In the episode "Dwight's Speech," Michael asks Toby to edit a speech that he has written for Dwight. However, Toby suggests several changes to the speech that Michael disagrees with, and the two become increasingly heated in their argument. Eventually, Michael loses his temper and insults Toby before storming out of the room.
Analysis: This example highlights the conflict between Michael's desire to make decisions independently and Toby's desire to collaborate with him. Michael sees Toby's suggestions as unnecessary and overly critical, while Toby sees them as necessary for ensuring that the speech is effective and appropriate. This conflict can be seen as a manifestation of the tension between traditional and modern approaches to management, with Michael embodying the more traditional top-down approach and Toby representing a more modern, collaborative approach.
Overall, the conflicts between Toby and Michael in "The Office" reflect the broader tensions and power struggles between middle managers and HR professionals in the workplace, as well as the tension between traditional and modern approaches to management. The show provides a rich source of examples for exploring these themes and analyzing the dynamics of organizational power and conflict.
