The Devil Wears Prada (OB Concept: Downward and Upward Communication)

Summary

In New York, the simple and naive just-graduated in journalism Andrea Sachs is hired to work as the second assistant of the powerful and sophisticated Miranda Priestly, the ruthless and merciless executive of the Runway fashion magazine. Andrea dreams to become a journalist and faces the opportunity as a temporary professional challenge. The first assistant Emily advises Andrea about the behavior and preferences of their cruel boss, and the stylist Nigel helps Andrea to dress more adequately for the environment. Andrea changes her attitude and behavior, affecting her private life and the relationship with her boyfriend Nate, her family and friends. In the end, Andrea learns that life is made of choices.

(Source: Carvalho, C. (n.d.). Plot Summary. Retrieved May 26, 2016, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458352/plotsummary)

Application of OB Concept

• Downward Communication

Downward communication is the flow of information from person in a higher position to a lower one. So, in the movie downward communication is depicted as: Miranda → Emily → Andrea. Miranda is a terror, heartless boss to her employees. Although the fear she instilled in her employees, especially to Emily and Andrea, is enough for them to do everything she says at once, the downward communication in their organization cannot be considered as effective. The problem is that there is a communication overload. During Andrea’s first few days at work, she was bombarded with tasks she wasn’t even briefed how to do, and Emily was not at all helpful. Miranda and Emily may be competent superiors, but they failed to build a warm personal connection with Andrea, which is an essential tool in achieving organizational goals.

• Upward Communication

Upward communication goes the other way around: Andrea → Emily → Miranda. Like that of downward communication, the upward communication depicted in the movie is not effective. Every time Andrea asks questions to Emily or Miranda, she was given the answer in how-can-you-not-know-this tone. As for Emily, she does not even dare ask questions or contradict Miranda because she was used to that setup already.

Reflection

If I were Andrea, I wouldn’t last a day at work with Emily and Miranda. Their workplace is not a healthy environment. An employee should always have an avenue to improve himself/herself at work through the help and guidance from his/her superiors. At the same time, every person, superiors and employees alike, should be treated with respect. Also, an effective communication between superiors and subordinates should be maintained to create a better work environment.