Which Famous Boss Do You Share a Management Style With.

From Starship Captain to Office Manager, there is a management style for everyone and a job for every management style. Some styles are very clearly more desirable and effective than others, but all are equally distinctive. The only question is, are you working with a Darth, a Dumbledore or a David?

THE DARTH VADER:

This type of boss is particularly fearsome. They rule their company with an iron fist and are prone to terrifying fits of rage. They are utterly dedicated to their cause (some might say to a disturbing extent) and when it comes to rules…. Let’s just say if you break them, there’s a good chance they’ll break you. They are very strict and meticulous about detail. However, for all their questionable qualities, you cannot deny that they get results and will stop at nothing in the name of success.

THE ALBUS DUMBLEDORE:

The “Albus Dumbledore” boss is the type of boss we would all hope we could be. They command respect in such a way that to treat them otherwise would be nothing short of insolent. They are inclusive of everybody and have an extreme wealth of knowledge and experience. They have forgotten more about doing the job well than anyone else will ever know, and everyone wants their help. They have iron-clad morals and are no stranger to a strong motivational speech. Whilst their vast knowledge may mean that they might be viewed as slightly odd in some respects, this is a boss that you can trust.

THE DAVID BRENT:

Everyone encounters a boss like this in their time- and if you haven’t, I hate to break it to you, but that probably means it’s you. They’re your best friend first and your boss second, and are determined to be thought of as “fun” (“I’m not like a regular boss, I’m a cool boss!”). They are often neurotic with erratic behavioural tendencies and have highly questionable qualities for one to look for in a mentor. It is highly likely that they use the word “guys” on far too regular a basis. They are not a horrible boss, but because they’re so worried about being friends with everyone, they are often a boss that it is quite difficult to fully respect. 

THE MIRANDA PRIESTLY:

This type of boss is respected and revered. They strike fear into the hearts of many and are incredibly experienced and knowledgeable. Whilst they may be mildly terrifying, there is no denying that they are damned good at what they do- they must be in order to have come to be looked upon in such a way. You do not want to cross them, but if you work hard under them, the sky is the limit…. As long as they don’t turn you to ice with a mere look first.

THE “M”:

The “M” is a boss that is somewhat difficult to define. They are fiercely dedicated, highly professional and very guarded. They value their job incredibly highly and are always careful to keep their work and personal lives entirely separate. They are stern but not harsh and very hard to read. There is something of an air of mystery surrounding them and the idea of having to make small talk with them whilst stuck in a lift does not sound like a particularly fun one!

THE NICK FURY:

This boss is another that it is difficult to interpret. They have an air of “seen it all and done it all” about them, but getting exact examples of times that they have seen it all and done it all can be something of a challenge, so they are therefore slightly more difficult to trust. They are well respected and very good at motivating their team; they find ways to inspire that are in themselves inspiring. The “Nick Fury” is a fearless boss, who above all else has the interests and rights of their workers at the heart of everything they do- even if said employees aren’t always able to see it.

THE MR. BURNS:

Far from excellent, this boss often takes their employees for granted and is somewhat lacking on the gratitude front. They are unwilling to embrace change and are very stuck in their ways. Whilst they might be dedicated and successful, they are not known for their people skills or their generosity. This is a classic type of boss that used to be found in most successful companies, but nowadays they are becoming something of a dying breed. 

THE BASIL FAWLTY:

A little bumbling, slightly tactless and very highly strung, the Basil Fawlty boss is one that is undoubtedly well meaning but is somewhat lacking in their approach. They have a short fuse and it does not take much to send them into a panic, which can then leave staff feeling frazzled too. They will have a good sense of humour, but often don’t know when to stop which can end up slightly awkward. This boss is a hard-working one who ultimately has everyone’s best interests at heart.

THE CAPTAIN KIRK:

This is a boss who very much believes in learning through doing and therefore can have a tendency to throw their employees in at the deep end. They very much believe that actions speak louder than words and have a very hands-on, proactive approach. This management style often leads to employees discovering things about themselves that they may not have learnt under a more conventional manager. Sometimes controversial, this boss is always certain in their decisions and will almost always have a very close-knit, dedicated team working beneath them.

THE CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW:

The “Captain Jack Sparrow” is the boss that you find yourself questioning how they became the boss to begin with. Their decision-making abilities leave many confused and their approach can seem somewhat avant-garde (to put it politely). They will frequently choose the option that benefits themselves the most and their regard for their staff is questionable. They have a very alternative way of thinking that perhaps (not unlike the Pirates of the Caribbean films themselves) was somewhat charming and interesting to begin with, but now, as time has worn on, your patience has run out and it has become rather irritating.

No matter what your management style is, one of the most important things that any and all of these characters would agree on is having a strong team that are committed to the job they are doing. Keeping your staff hard-working and motivated on a long-term basis is no mean feat. It’s one thing to hire great team members, but it’s quite another to keep them on-board long term, something which even the most seasoned bosses can sometimes struggle with, and there are always new things you can consider. Staff retention is at the heart of every successful business, from hotels to nuclear power plants, fashion magazines to the Galactic Empire. If you are looking for new ideas and advice about retention, you should download our eBook.