Jana Billington

COMM 3140
October 22, 2013
The Devil Wears Prada Analysis
As with nearly any group, organizations contain and operate among many
different dynamics. Within these dynamics emerges the potential for creativity, diversity,
teamwork, exploration, and success. Included in those dynamics, however, is also the
potential for dangerous and/or unhealthy practices, which ultimately effect not only the
organization but the individuals within the organization as well. Caustic or authoritative
managed organizations can also attain success within a negative atmosphere. In fact
some organizations thrive on these types of tactics to remain competitive in a particular
industry. A fictitional example of this type of organization and the dynamics found
within the organization can be found in the film The Devil Wears Prada. This essay
will review and analyze the organizational structure within the magazine Runway, in
the film.
The film industry is filled with examples of the benefits of teams, the collective
process, and success attained when working toward a common goal. On the other side of
the spectrum, however, is The Devil Wears Prada, which provides illustration of
potentially harmful and aggressive managerial practices used for the purpose of attaining
perfection, esteem, and notoriety at all costs.
One of the most constant themes within the film is the aggressive and tyrannical
behavior of the Meryl Streep character Miranda, who is the boss at the magazine. Her
expectations are so high, that everyone who works for her does so out of fear of
disappointing a woman who appears to be unable to be pleased with anything. These fear

tactics have not only caused extreme anxiety and stress within the workplace, but they
have also fostered a culture that encourages such behavior. Throughout the film, Miranda
degrades people within her organization, commenting on their inadequacies, her
disappointment with individual performance, and lack of abilities. She even refers to her
new assistant Andy (Ann Hathaway) as fat, because she is not model thin (she is a
size six). This type of repetitive degradation by Miranda constitutes a blatant type of
bullying. There is no organizational policy identified in the film admonishing these types
of behaviors because they are encouraged for what appears to be competitive reasons.
What makes the issue worse is that the magazine in the film is highly successful and
Miranda highly revered, so there is no need to change the way things are done. Conflict
is Runways normal, and it works for them.
By behaving in such an aggressive and demeaning way, Miranda provides for her
staff a destructive example. In doing so, she effectively places her stamp of approval on
degrading and demoralizing behaviors, which are in turn repeated by her staff members.
Additional examples are evident among Andys co-workers in the film. They make
comments about the way Andy dresses, her size, lack of style, etc. These comments are
also blatant in that they are either directly stated to her, or discussed among one another
in front of her. In doing so, Andys co-workers are pointing out her differences, and
alienating her from the rest of the staffat least until she transforms herself to fit the
proper mold. These tensions are dealt with (at least by Andy) by essentially ignoring
them.
Another common theme within the film is the coercive way in which Miranda
manages Andy. In one instance, Andy is tasked with what would seem an impossible task

of obtaining an unpublished copy of the new Harry Potter book within four hours. Andy
is advised that if she doesnt complete the task on time, she need not come back. In
another example, Miranda asks Andy to replace her co-worker at a fashion event in Paris.
Faced with a moral dilemma, Andy initially declines, but changes her mind when
Miranda threatens to blackball her from obtaining work at any other publications. By
exerting coercive control over Andy, Miranda has placed her in a position in which she
feels she has no choice but to comply.
Although Andy is faced with many difficult tasks and a relentless boss, she does
develop resilience strategies. She accepts the reality of her existence if she is to continue
working at Runway. Andy also seeks support from a fellow staff member Nigel, who
doesnt sugar coat the way things are at the magazine and questions her commitment.
Thus assisting Andy in realizing and coming to terms with her reality in this particular
workplace. By doing so, Andy is able to sway away from feeling like a victim and
empowers herself by adjusting her perspective. She also exercises in self-talk, vowing
not to let Miranda get to her, and makes sure to consider every possible outcome so she is
properly prepared for whatever Miranda throws her way. As a result, she has effectively
taken control over her own destiny by not providing Miranda with reasons to criticize her
performance. This ultimately lands Andy in Mirandas favor, but also provides Andy
with newfound confidence needed to survive within the organization. In the end, Andy
uses her confidence to choose the right path for her and leaves the magazine to pursue a
career in journalism. Had she not developed resilience to adversarial behaviors she may
have never found the courage to leave the company, nor would she have realized what her
dedication to such an organization would cost her.

It goes without saying that organizations are complex simply because they are
made up of different types of people. Within organizations exist a multitude of behaviors
and processes. In order to properly understand and grow within an organization, careful
consideration must be made to both the positives and the negatives within the
organization. One must identify behaviors, adjust behaviors, and create strategies for
survival as Andy did in The Devil Wears Prada. In doing so, confidence can be
cultivated, teamwork embraced, and healthier relationships among peers and superiors is
possible. Dynamics within organizations are constantly evolving. As such, so must
individuals, policies and procedures, which ultimately leads to higher productivity,
creativity, and interdependence within the organization.