Devil wears prada characters analysis

Ethical Leadership and Followership

A Dissection of Ethical Challenges in Wall Street and The Devil Wears Prada

Professor Perkins – MGT310

Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………... 1

Wall Street – Movie Summary…………………………………………………………….… 1-2

Followership …………………………………………………………………………... 2

Abuse of Power……………..………………………………………………………... 2-3

Moral-Decision Making …………….……………………………………………….… 3

Shadow Casting …………….………………………………………………………... 3-4

The Devil Wears Prada – Movie Summary…………..……………………………….…..…. 4

Followership ………………………….……………………………………..……….. 4-5

Abuse of Power ………………………………..……………………………………... 5-7

Moral-Decision Making ……………………………..………………………………. 7-8

Altruism …………………………..………..……………………………….…………... 8

What I Have Learned……………………………………………………………………….... 8-9

Agree – Disagree…………………...……………………………………………….……….. 9-10

What I Enjoyed Most……………...……………….…………………………….………... 10-11

Conclusion…………………...……………………….…………..……………………………. 11

Works Cited…………………………………….………............................................................ 12

Bibliography…………………………………….………........................................................... 13

Introduction

Have you ever watched a movie and thought to yourself “I would never do that.” Or maybe you thought “does that really happen?” Most of us think of movies as a source of entertainment, and we are right. Movies have long been a source of entertainment.

When we are kids, movies are about fantasy, make-believe, things that would be really cool but aren’t real. Some of these movies actually portray real life scenarios in a subliminal message. These messages can be interpreted in many ways. The characters can have courage, strength, problem-solving, and perhaps even critical thinking, but we don’t realize this as it’s just a movie.

Then, as we get older, the movies become more realistic, maybe they aren’t so innocent. In Wall Street, Bud Fox displays courage, strength and problem solving. In The Devil Wears Prada Andy also has courage, strength, the ability to problem solve and exercises critical thinking. In the childhood movies, these characters that are courageous and strong are heroes. The more realistic, mature movies, portray reality. So is the case in Wall Street and The Devil Wears Prada.

Wall Street Movie Summary

Wall Street, a movie released in 1987 starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen is a movie that defines the greed that exists in Corporate America. Bud Fox, played by Charlie Sheen is an average kid born to a blue collar, union representative from Queens, New York. He goes to college, becomes a broker on Wall Street and moves to Manhattan in the hopes of living the true American Dream. When Bud seems to be getting nowhere with his job, losing more money than he is making, he finds himself thinking about what steps he can take to make it big. Bud knows Gordon Gekko, played by Michael Douglas, is a big time investor and this is a client Bud would love to have. He had been trying to land the account by cold calling him every day for 55 days. The 56th day is the day when he finally gets an opportunity to meet with Gordon Gekko. Bud has five minutes to impress him, to land the deal, to find himself on the road to living that dream.

Followership - Wall Street

As our text suggests, “courageous leaders acknowledge the dangers they face and their anxieties. Nonetheless, they move forward despite the risks and costs. The same is true for courageous followers” (Johnson 71). Bud Fox displays courageous followership in this film. In the beginning of their business relationship, Fox does not live up to Gekko’s expectations and makes it clear he wants another shot at trying. Gekko then lets Fox in on some information about a competitor of Gekko’s. Gekko then tells Fox that he wants him to follow this person and get any information he possibly can about the moves he is making so Gekko can jump in on the investments first. Bud acknowledges the dangers in the unethical choice and proceeds anyway despite the risks. This is an example of the dark side of followership.

Abuse of Power - Wall Street

Abuse of Power is evident in many scenarios throughout this film, though there are a few that stood out the most. Firstly, Bud Fox gains power with insider information regarding Blue Star Airlines. Fox’s father is a Union Representative for the company, and after a visit with his father, Fox learns that a recent lawsuit against the airline is overturned, declaring the airline not liable for an accident that happened previously. This will mean that their stock price will increase after this information is released. With this information, Bud now has power with knowledge. He presents this inside information to get Gekko’s attention in the beginning, knowing that Gekko will jump all over it. Fox is right, Gekko tells him to buy 20,000 shares of Blue Star Airline stock. There is a great example of this type of situation in our text, under the “Shadow of Inconsistency” (Johnson 21).

Additionally, Craig Johnson says, “power is the foundation for influence attempts” (7). Gordon Gekko uses his power and success, to influence Fox to make unethical decisions. This is an example of referent power under the Shadow of Power. Referent power “rests on the admiration one person has for another” (Johnson 7).

Moral-Decision Making - Wall Street

Although there is no real set of rules for making moral decisions, they should be based on 1.) knowledge of the facts of the situation and 2). thoroughly contemplating the moral values or principles of the given situation (MacDonald n. pag.). Bud demonstrates moral-decision making in the beginning of the film when he first lands Gekko as an investor. In reference to the stock purchased for Blue Star Airlines, Gekko asks Bud if he purchased some for himself. Bud looks at Gekko and reminds him of how he can’t do that, because it’s illegal. Of course in this situation the law has an impact on his decision, but it is ultimately up to the individual to make the right choice.

Shadow Casters - Wall Street

Gordon Gekko is a shadow caster. He exercises the Shadow of Power as previously mentioned. The Shadow of Privilege is also present with this character. According to Johnson, “leaders almost always enjoy greater privileges than followers do” (13). In this film, Gordon Gekko enjoys the finest paintings, personal jets, a house on the beach and more. His riches from the business he does afford him the opportunity to live extravagantly. He also stresses this benefit to Bud Fox when he hands him a check for $1 million after the purchase of Blue Star Airlines stock. Gekko says, “you do good, you get perks – lots and lots of perks” (Wall Street).

Additionally, in the beginning of the film, Gekko brings Fox to a country club where they play a game of squash. Gekko lectures Fox on the importance of how to play the game and how it’s like warfare (and referencing Sun Tzu and The Art of War). When Gekko basically fires Fox, Fox chases after him begging for another chance. Gekko tells Fox if he wants another chance, he has to find information that Gekko doesn’t already have. He explains he doesn’t care what it is or how he gets it, he just wants new information. As Gekko says this, the lights on the set get dim, indicating a literal casting of shadow. It symbolizes the dark side.

The Devil Wears Prada Movie Summary

The Devil Wears Prada is a movie released in 2006 starring Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Editor in-Chief of Runway Magazine and Anne Hathaway as Andrea (Andy) Sachs, the second assistant to the all powerful Miranda. The story goes, that Andy moves to New York to find a job in journalism and ends up as a candidate for a position as the second assistant to Miranda Priestly. Andy isn’t one bit interested in fashion and style, does not read the magazine and thus, has no idea who she is about to interview with. After landing the job and continually being insulted about her weight and her style, or lack of it, Andy decides to keep the job and chalk it up as the experience she will need to break into real journalism. Throughout the film, Andy faces many challenges and in the end she learns that in life, it all comes down to choices.

Followership - The Devil Wears Prada

Followership is the most prominent theme present throughout this film. As Andy realizes that this job is not at all what she wants to do, she also realizes that this job could lead her into the direction that she wants to go. She decides to do what it takes and stick it out for one year, and after that she can use her experience and references to find work in journalism as she originally wanted. With that decision, Andy begins her journey into courageous followership. Courageous followership encompasses many factors, which according to our text can include 1) the courage to assume responsibility, 2) the courage to serve, 3) the courage to challenge, 4) the courage to participate in transformation and finally 5) the courage to leave (Johnson 72-73).

In The Devil Wears Prada, Andy Sachs exhibits the courage to serve on many occasions throughout the film. In Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership the author says “courageous followers support their leaders through hard, often unglamorous work” (72). The work of Andy Sachs is in every way unglamorous, but she does so with little complaining and makes it her goal to do her best. She surprised many people at Runway Magazine on numerous occasions with her transformation from her first day at the company. She changed her style of clothing, got a chic haircut, and started wearing makeup every day. Lastly, Andy has the courage to leave. As Johnson describes it, “when leaders are unwilling to change, courageous followers take principled action by resigning from the organization” (73). When Miranda makes some moves that Andy sees as unethical, Andy decides at this point its time to cut her losses and walk away. She walked out on Miranda in Paris, the biggest event of the year, and never looked back.

Abuse of Power - The Devil Wears Prada

As the Editor in-chief and a powerful executive at Runway Magazine, Miranda Priestly has both legitimate power and expert power. According to Johnson, legitimate power “resides in the position, not the person” (7) and expert power is “based on the characteristics of the individual...” and further explains that “knowledge, skills, education and certification all build expert power” (7). It is these forms of power that enable Miranda into thinking she can abuse this power. For example, because Miranda is an expert in the fashion industry, she demoralizes Andy with regard to her lack of style and sense of fashion. In initially meeting with Andy Miranda looks her up and down as she says “you have no style or sense of fashion” (“The Devil”). When Andy replies stuttering about how that is her opinion, Miranda cuts Andy off mid-sentence and makes it clear that her statement was not a question, insinuating that it was a fact. Examples such as these are present throughout the portion of the film preceding Andy seeking help to dress the part to fit in at the company.

Another example of abuse of power is present when Miranda gets stuck in Miami due to a hurricane and calls Andy to get a flight back to New York. At the time of the call, Andy is out to dinner with her father and has plans to go to a show on Broadway afterwards. Andy frantically tries to get Miranda a flight by calling every airline that she can only to find that the hurricane is so bad, there are absolutely no flights out of Miami. Andy calls Miranda and apologizes as she informs her that there are no flights and there is nothing she can do. Miranda mentions that Andy should call some celebrity connection that owns a personal jet, surely they can help. When all is said and done, Miranda never did get a flight out of Miami that night and she reprimands Andy for not doing her job. She goes on to say that the only way Andy can make this up to her, is by finding two copies of the most recent Harry Potter book, which is still unpublished and unavailable to the public. Miranda knows, or believes, that because of her power, this should be attainable.

Moral-Decision Making - The Devil Wears Prada

Because this movie’s storyline is based so much on choices, it should come as no surprise that there are many opportunities to make decisions, both moral and not. Throughout most of the film, there are many instances where moral-decision making on Andy’s part is lacking. For example, a very important benefit that Miranda has to attend is coming up and Emily, the first assistant, is to accompany her. It is Emily’s job to study all of the other guests’ names and spouses’ names etc. prior to the event so that Miranda appears to know all of these people as she speaks to them. When Emily turns up sick on the day of the benefit, Miranda then says that Andy will be required to go as well, and also learn the information of all the guests. This interferes with Andy’s plans that night, as it is her boyfriend Nate’s birthday. Andy, Nate and a group of their friends are supposed to meet to celebrate. Naturally everyone’s feelings are hurt when Andy springs on them that she won’t be able to make it because she has to attend this benefit. Andy finally gets the chance to skip out early in hopes that she can still make it. As she is leaving, she runs into Christian Thompson, a well known journalist in New York, who wants her to come back inside so he can introduce her to a publisher. Andy uses moral-decision making and declines the offer because she has to leave. Despite her efforts, Andy was too late.

Another example of moral-decision making is when Miranda offers Andy the chance to accompany Miranda on the Paris trip. The convention that takes place in Paris is a big deal to the fashion industry, one that Miranda “plans her whole year around” (The Devil). Emily, as the first assistant is supposed to be the one who goes to Paris with Miranda and is extremely excited. Emily too has been waiting all year for this opportunity. When Miranda asks Andy to go instead of Emily, Andy immediately tells Miranda that she can’t because this trip means too much to Emily. Andy tells Miranda that it’s unfair to Emily and would break her heart.

Altruism - The Devil Wears Prada

In our text, Johnson describes altruistic approaches to be “other-centered, not self-centered” (153). He further goes on to state that “advocates of altruism argue that love of neighbor is the ultimate ethical standard. Our actions should be designed to help others whatever the personal cost” (Johnson 153).

After the Paris trip with Miranda, she gave all the clothes that she got to keep to Emily. Andy remembered how the clothes that she would get to keep were one of the most important aspects about that trip to Emily. Andy could have kept those clothes, but she knew that Emily would appreciate them more. This is an example of Andy demonstrating altruistic behavior.

Another example of altruistic behavior in this film was demonstrated by Miranda in the end. After Andy quit working for Miranda she applied at a New York newspaper for a job in journalism. When she went on the interview, the man she interviewed with mentioned to Andy that he had already called Miranda for a reference. Miranda’s reference was that his company would be foolish if they didn’t hire Andy. It is evident with this incident that Miranda was able to see the positive aspects of Andy’s work ethic and she shared that secret in what she said.

What I Have Learned

In researching these two films, Wall Street and The Devil Wears Prada, I looked to find examples of Followership, Abuse of Power, Moral-Decision Making, Altruism, and Shadow Casting. The one I felt I learned the most about it is Followership. Being a follower always seemed to have a negative connotation. However, in doing this research, finding out that there is a positive aspect to followership and that it can be defined and implemented respectfully, was really intriguing.

Also, with my own experiences in the business world, I was able to relate on some level with a lot of the behaviors that led to the scenarios presented in each film. Being able to relate to an element intended to entertain, has made me further wonder whether these films are based on true stories, or are the true stories based on the films? Have our behaviors been influenced by the actions of the characters in these films? So, I have learned that power can be used as a means to be influential, both for good and for bad.

Agree and Disagree

Because most of the scenarios presented in this paper are examples of the dark side of leadership and followership, I don’t agree with any of them. I disagree with the choices made by Bud Fox and Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, as I believe that these are the very things that support all that is wrong in Corporate America. Gordon Gekko is motivated completely by greed, and every decision he makes reflects his own personal interests. It ultimately leads to his demise, but also that of many others. The fact that he demonstrates no altruistic behaviors shows his disrespect for ethics and proves he only values his own success.

Additionally, I don’t agree with most of the scenarios presented for The Devil Wears Prada. I believe that Andy was right to decide that it wouldn’t be fair for her to go to Paris, as she knew it meant so much to Emily, but ultimately, Miranda threatened Andy’s job if she didn’t go. With that, Andy went against her belief and went to Paris. In my opinion, because Andy really had no interest in fashion or Paris, but valued having a job she made the best choice, but not the right choice. Andy made the best choice to protect her own interests in having a job that would land her any job she wanted in the future, but it wasn’t the right choice since Emily has a strong interest in the industry. Working for Runway was a career for Emily, but just a job for Andy. I felt Andy should have practiced altruism here.

Contrarily, I did agree with the choice that Andy made to give the clothes that she got from Paris to Emily. She knew Emily would have much more appreciation for them. I also agreed with Andy’s choice to leave Miranda in Paris as well as leaving the benefit when Christian Thompson offered an introduction to a publisher. In both scenarios, Andy knew that making the opposite choice would further damage the things in her personal life that meant more to her than a job in the fashion industry, no matter what the cost.

What I Enjoyed Most

I enjoyed both these movies for many reasons. Both movies have a great cast; Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway are all great performers. Wall Street, was a great example of the investment business at that time. The characters depicted the epitome of the greedy investor and the eager broker. The choices presented depict real life scenarios that people in this industry face daily. I don’t have much knowledge of the fashion industry, but I believe The Devil Wears Prada was also a great example of the business world. There was abuse of power in leadership, followership and many ethical challenges presented. I enjoyed watching this film a few years ago, and remembered how cut throat the characters were so I chose it knowing there would be plenty of examples to report on. Overall, I enjoyed finding and dissecting the scenes of each film that represent ethical challenges that are faced in leadership and followership roles.

Conclusion

Each of these films represents ethical dilemmas that do exist in the real world. They present scenario after scenario demonstrating choices involving and challenging the morals, ethics, values, and beliefs of the characters that present them. I believe that each of these films represents these scenarios in a real life manner. Like Gordon Gekko, extremely wealthy investors are challenged by greed every day. Like Bud Fox, brokers are challenged with inside information and face the choice to make the right or wrong decision. Too, like Andy Sachs assistants are faced with challenges involving how dark or light a followership role can be. Finally, Executives like Miranda Priestly across the globe are faced with the choice to use their power to influence their followers through leadership or by casting shadow and abusing their power.

In the end, for example while I may believe that Andy was wrong to go to Paris, someone else may believe that she was not, showing that ethical decisions are based on perspective. If we all agreed on every situation, scenarios such as these would not exist, but they do. With that said, I believe that educating ourselves with the theories and research available on these subjects is the best way we can all at least get along while we agree to disagree.

Works Cited

Johnson, Craig E. Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light of Shadow. 3rd ed. California: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009. Print.

MacDonald, Chris Ph.D. Moral Decision Making – An Analysis. N.p., 6 June, 2002. Web. 12 April, 2011.

The Devil Wears Prada. Dir. David Frankel. Perf. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Adrian Grenier and Emily Blunt. 20th Century Fox, 2006. DVD.

Wall Street. Dir. Oliver Stone. Perf. Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. 20th Century Fox, 1987. DVD.

Bibliography

Johnson, Craig E. Meeting the Ethical Challenges of Leadership: Casting Light of Shadow. 3rd ed. California: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009. Print.

MacDonald, Chris Ph.D. Moral Decision Making – An Analysis. N.p., 6 June, 2002. Web. 12 April, 2011.

The Devil Wears Prada. Dir. David Frankel. Perf. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Adrian Grenier and Emily Blunt. 20th Century Fox, 2006. DVD.

Tzu, Sun. The Art of War. London: Arcturus Publishing Limited, 2008. Print.

Wall Street. Dir. Oliver Stone. Perf. Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. 20th Century Fox, 1987. DVD.