5 movies that prove bad managers can ruin everything

We all know that strong leadership and effective management are essential for a company's growth. But sometimes, the best way to understand this is to see what happens when it all falls apart.

The following five movies offer a peek into what happens when managers don’t get it right — reminding us why manager training is so critical.

1. The Devil Wears Prada

Few films depict the impact of poor leadership like The Devil Wears Prada.

Meryl Streep’s iconic portrayal of Miranda Priestly highlights the damage a toxic boss can cause. While Miranda is brilliant, her management style is unsupportive and fear-driven.

The Devil Wears Prada reminds us that technical skill doesn’t compensate for poor people management. Proper manager training early in her career could have helped Miranda balance performance with respect and empathy.

2. Office Space

A cult classic, Office Space is an ode to workplace dysfunction.

The film’s antagonist, Bill Lumbergh, epitomizes ineffective management — detached, uninspiring and obsessed with bureaucracy. His poor leadership creates a disengaged and disillusioned workforce.

Office Space is a perfect case study on how bad management leads to decreased productivity. The movie illustrates the importance of training managers to promote wellbeing, communicate effectively and inspire innovation.

3. Glengarry Glen Ross

Glengarry Glen Ross is a masterclass in poor leadership and toxic competition.

In this high-stakes real estate office, the pressure placed on the employees by an aggressive sales manager leads to unethical behavior and a demoralized team. The film shows that a "results-at-any-cost" mentality destroys trust and morale.

Training managers to lead with integrity and develop the strengths of their employees could have prevented the destructive atmosphere that drives the plot of Glengarry Glen Ross.

4. Horrible Bosses

In Horrible Bosses, three employees are pushed to the brink by their unqualified and hostile managers.

This over-the-top comedy may be exaggerated, but it highlights an essential truth: bad management can make an otherwise good job unbearable. Each boss demonstrates a different leadership flaw – from micromanagement to abusive behavior – emphasizing the importance of equipping leaders with the skills they need to build positive workplace relationships.

5. Moneyball

On the other end of the spectrum, Moneyball shows what happens when a manager receives the right training and takes a forward-thinking approach.

The film follows Oakland A's general manager, Billy Beane, who uses data to build a winning team on a tight budget. Billy’s leadership shows that even the biggest challenges can be tackled with creativity and the right tools. Moneyball reminds us that training managers in leadership and strategy can drive innovation and success.

These five movies may entertain, but they also offer valuable lessons for any workplace. Investing in manager training equips managers with the skills to motivate, inspire and lead their teams to success. Don’t let your company end up like the chaotic on-screen workplaces — train your managers and set them up for success.

Invest in your managers with Electives.

Your company's growth hinges on the strength of your managers. Equip them with the skills to lead with excellence. The Modern Manager Training program from Electives catalyzes employee engagement and supercharges productivity across your teams.