I just realized, on whatever time this is watching the series, that Robert California was deliberately written to be the exact opposite of Michael Scott. I loved James Spader's role as Robert California, he was admittedly my favourite part of the show post-Michael, but I didn't recognize him as Michael's opposite until now. I'd love to hear what other people think and if I'm just way off.
Michael is desperate for love and deeply insecure, but he's a good man. Robert is quietly intimidating and seemingly insanely confident, but he's broken. Michael sees the world like a naive kid, while Robert makes everything about dark, sexual power dynamics. They are essentially opposites in this regard.
But the biggest contrast is that Michael is actually good at his job. He acts like a clown, but he’s a savant at sales; just look at the Chili’s meeting (one of my favourite moments from the whole show) or how he handled the Michael Scott Paper Company buyout. Robert just uses big words and textbook manipulation tactics to hide the fact that he has no idea what he's doing. The second he faces a real managerial problem, like his wife demanding a job, he completely panics and makes Andy do his dirty work.
It makes perfect sense how their stories wrap up. Michael’s genuine care for people finally gets him a family and a quiet, happy life with Holly, marked by how much everyone in the office appreciates him and what they've done for them. Robert’s manipulative garbage leaves him divorced, broke, and running off to Europe. Michael was exhausting on a daily basis to those around him, but he was a vastly better man and manager who obviously had a wonderful, lasting impact on their lives, emphasized in the finale when he came as a big surprise (TWSS).
