Miranda Priestly The Boss From Hell Finally Speaks Out In An Interview With Mrs. Laughing Pants
Leadership is a daunting task especially when you have a high profile job and everybody is breathing down your back. You have to meet deadlines, attend fashion shows in Paris, London and Milan on a short notice. Trekking international waters come with the territory as a fashion editor. The interesting part of this job is getting the scoop on the latest trend in fashion in advance before it hits the street.
What do you expect from an in demand editor who delivers quality products?
Here comes Miranda Priestly a character in "The Devil Wears Prada," a book by Lauren Weisberger, speaking her mind in an interview with Mrs. Laughing Pants.
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Thanks Miranda for taking the time to meet with me today. I know you've a busy schedule at Runaway and I value your time in coming here.
Miranda Priestly: Thanks for inviting me Mrs. Laughing Pants. It is always good to take a break sometimes. As the editor at Runaway, I keep everybody busy. All credit goes to my staff who works hard when I'm not there.
Mrs. Laughing Pants: That’s interesting! I would like to begin with your assistant Andrea Sachs. She claimed you're the boss from hell. Can you explain why she would say that?
Miranda: Andrea has too many excuses sometimes. I have a busy schedule as you note and I don't like excuses. As the editor of Runaway Magazine, I have to satisfy our clients. All of these clients are high fashion designers like Prada, Armani, Versace and the list goes on. As a high profile person I am constantly in demand. Meeting the needs of my clients are my top priority. I like my assistants to do their jobs. That’s all!
Mrs. Laughing Pants: I hear you Miranda. Can you explain if you don't mind why your assistants act nervous when you're around? Andrea claimed you barked at her if your coffee is cold and you make unrealistic demands. Is that true?
Miranda Priestly: I just like doing my job a certain way and it is too bad that she feels that way. There's no need to feel nervous around me. I never bite. That's nonsense talk. Do you believe that? Pause…I like my job in order and as human sometimes I snapped when I asked for something and I'm getting a bag of excuses. You see too many excuses!
Mrs Laughing Pants: While we're on the topic of assistant, I would like you to tell me how do you promote your assistants seeing this is a high profile job?
Miranda Priestly: Probably my assistants might not know this but I value their loyal service to me if they remain in employment with Runaway for a year. I have some contacts I can call a favor if my assistants want to move on to a different company. I can help them to get where they want to go.
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Correct me if I'm wrong…you mentioned you can help your assistants to get where they want to go, is that right?
Miranda Priestly: You're correct! To be honest the job is stressful at times. My assistants have to be available sometimes 24/7. It is a hard job.
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Thanks for explaining that for me. My next question is who was your mentor growing up?
Miranda Priestly: My mother died in childbirth; as a result, I had different people in my life. I would do an injustice if I name a single person. All the people in my life are my mentors.
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Thank you so much for answering that. My next question is can you describe your job?
Miranda Priestly: I have an early start everyday beginning at 4:00 a.m in the morning. I'm not just the editor, I'm the chief editor at Runaway Magazine. I am in charge of supervising a staff of editors, meet with fashion editors, and sign off on articles for the publication. I decide on creative and seasonal trends. Also, I meet with designers, visit fashion shows both here and abroad. I offer in put on hiring and firing staff. I also meet with staff weekly. That is my job role in a nutshell.
Mrs Laughing Pants: Thanks for sharing this information. You've a busy schedule. Next question is how do you delegate responsibility seeing you have so much to do on your plate?
Miranda Priestly: My staff comprise of a secretary, receptionist, two assistants, and four editors. They all have their job descriptions. My staff takes on some of my work responsibilities. For example, from taking calls, reading emails, travel on short notice, meet with clients, attend to my personal needs, write articles, visit fashion shows, scheduling and the list goes on.
Mrs Laughing Pants: Thank you so much for your time Miranda. I can't believe we're at the end of our interview. One last question… do you have anything you would like to say before we close this interview?
Miranda Priestly: Yes! If anyone is out there and is thinking about becoming my assistant make sure it is something you want. The job is stressful and demanding and I don't take excuses. Make sure you have the time to dedicate to your job. I'll make sure my assistants receive a high compensation for their work. That’s all!
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Is there anything you would like to clarify about your character? The word is out that you're spiteful with a vengeance and you drive your assistants over the edge with your unreasonable demands.
Miranda Priestly: I've been in this business for a while and I know people. It takes just a phone call to call a favor. Interesting what people say behind your back. It would be more helpful to me if my assistants tell me how they feel about me. I cannot make any change to my character if they are not honest and tell me as it is. There is no superhuman here. I recognize I'm not perfect but it is something for me to work on. I hope the next assistant will have a better experience and will come more prepared for this exciting job that a "million people would die for." That’s all!
Mrs. Laughing Pants: Thank you so much Miranda for taking the time to attend this interview. I value your time and I wish you the best in your job.
PS. This post is for entertainment only. The author is using a new twist in analyzing a story that debunk leadership. The author intent is to show the different perspectives on leadership from a character angle. The Devil Wears Prada talks about the unfairness of leading people in the workplace.
P.S.S You're welcome to read the book or watch the movie. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Guide to Energize Your Employee Workforce
Annmarie Edwards is an author, trainer, and speaker who writers regularly on workforce issues on her Blog. Stay tuned for more updates.
Copyrighted © 2008 by Annmarie Edwards
1 comments:
I absolutely loved this movie! It was one of my all-time favorites!
Post a Comment