Ethical Leadership and FollowershipA Dissection of Ethical Chall.docx

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.
<http://www.ethicsweb.ca/guide/moral-decision.html>
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.
<http://www.ethicsweb.ca/guide/moral-decision.html>

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.

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