Don’t act like Miranda Priestly, actress Meryl Streep’s character in the 2006 comedy The Devil Wears Prada, if you want to keep your employees happy.
For Administrative Professionals Week 2013, the International Association of Administrative Professionals asked office professionals to rate the worst and best bosses from TV and the movies. Though many of the names came as no surprise (Mr. Hart from 9 to 5 was a popular pick for worst), a few were unexpected (Steve Carrel’s character from The Office appears on both the best and worst list).
Worst:
10. Louis De Palma, Taxi—Crass man with a Napoleon complex
9. Murphy Brown, Murphy Brown—Capricious and unreasonable
8. Mel Sharples, Alice—Rude, crude, and inconsiderate
7. Michael Scott, The Office—He means well
6. Mr. Burns, The Simpsons—His motto seems to be, “Do evil.”
5. Mr. Krabs, Spongebob Squarepants—Overworks his best employee
4. Katherine Parker, Working Girl—Makes herself feel good at her assistant’s expense
3. Bill Lumbergh, Office Space—The finest example of incompetence
2. Mr. Hart, 9 to 5—Old-school sexist who stymied his best employees
1. Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada—Unhinged cruelty
Best:
10. Jack McCoy, Law & Order—Passionate, driven, and fair
9. Sam Malone, Cheers—Great listener who knows how to give others a second chance
8. Capt. James T. Kirk, Star Trek—A boundary pusher who brings out the best in others
7. Col. Potter, M.A.S.H.—Doesn’t pull rank and knows how to bend the rules
6. Michael Scott, The Office—He means well
5. Maxwell Sheffield, The Nanny—Understanding and patient
4. Nick Fury, The Avengers—Always makes sure his team has what it needs to succeed
3. Bob Newhart, Bob Newhart—Understands that his office pro is invaluable
2. Jack Shephard, Lost—Inspires excellence, promotes unity, and recognizes talent
1. Special Agent Leroy Gibbs, NCIS—Sets clear expectations and protects his team
Though humorous, the list does provide some real insights into the qualities that office professionals want in their managers and executives. Being crude, incompetent, and abusive can earn you a place on the hated list of any employee, as evidenced by characters like the gruff chef Mel Sharples from Alice. But particular animus is saved for bosses who are high-handed and dismissive, like Mr. Hart from 9 to 5.
The best list suggests that employees can be very happy working for a demanding boss like Jack McCoy of Law & Order, as long as it’s tempered with some old-fashioned compassion like the beloved Bob Newhart. If you’re a boss, the best thing you can do is channel your inner Jack Shephard and lead your team to success.