I stumbled upon a funny story about Michael Jackson recently. Already, I’d been aware that he was a jokester in the Jackson family. Janet shared that fact about him years ago. Though, when humor integrates with business, it’s unequivocally clever. And here’s why.

Michael and an associate were in the studio expecting guests for a meeting. Well, they arrived, and soon after, Michael asked them to step into the hall. The door was closed behind them as Michael and the associate remained in the studio. Michael then tapped on something under a table.

The people in the hallway were grumbling something awful, “Who does he think he is?! That mothersucker, blah, blah blah…” Everything they said came through  the speakers where Michael and his associate listened to it all.

Minutes later, they were invited back into the room. They were smiling and speaking highly of Michael. Praising his gift of music even. Michael exchanged handshakes, smiled, and laughed in his characteristic bashful way. 

Upon parting, he gives each of the attendants a tape. I imagine it was a cassette at that time. As they rap up the meeting, he says, “I have something for you,” smiling as he hands over a recording of them giving him the business in the hallway. 👀

Quote of the day. “My life feels like a test I didn’t study for.”