Question

Watch the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" and answer to the following questions:
1.   How would you describe Miranda Priestly’s management style?
2.   What impact does Miranda’s style have on the performance of those around her?
3.   Good boss or bad boss: what’s your assessment of this management style?
4.   Given her style, why do so many people desperately want to work for Miranda?
5.   Why do you think Miranda gave Andrea the job?
6.   At the end of the film—how do you assess the impact of this leadership/coaching style? What was the outcome? Was it intended?
7.   What leadership lessons can you draw from this film for your own style and approach or for dealing with aggressive or even seemingly brutal bosses? Was Miranda just an example of extremely tough love? Was it good for Andrea’s development?
8.   How does this resonate with other ideas and change leadership styles we are studying in the course?

Answer 1

Ans

1. Miranda Priestly’s management style is autocratic as she is very demanding from her subordinates and expects them to act to perfection. She is not hesitant to denounce her subordinates publicly if they fail. She takes the decisions herself and takes little input from others.

2.  Miranda’s autocratic style has in general debilitating effect on the performance of those around her. She creates fear of failure in the minds of her subordinates and they work in fear of being fired. Such fear is not good for performance. However those headstrong subordinates who survive her vicissitudes do well as they adapt and anticipate her needs and moods.

3. Miranda’s autocratic style makes her a bad boss. She keeps pushing the envelope as fas as performance is concerned but does not provide any emotional or learning support to her subordinates.

4.Miranda is incredibly successful as editor in chief of Runway fashion magazine and therefore many people desperately wish to work for her to build their own careers. People are willing to compromise on the work culture in order to get noticed in highly Competitive world of fashion.