A manager is described and defined in the dictionary as “A person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff, or as a person regarded in terms of skills in managing resources, especially those of a household or business”. Some of a managers main roles are of a figurehead, leader, liaison and spokesperson.
This post is going to explore some examples of fictional managers, or those I believe show and embrace managerial qualities. The fictional characters this post is going to explore as fictional managers are, Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz, Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby and Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter franchise.
Dorothy Gale
When the reader or audience depending on if your reading the original 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” or watching the 1939 Metro Goldwyn Mayer musical, are first introduced to Dorothy Gale, she is a small town girl from Kansas stranded in the strange and wonderful world of Oz. During her adventure in Oz to find her way back home Dorothy encounters a scarecrow in search of a brain, a heartless tin-man and a cowardly lion. The ‘rag-tag’ team face off against witches, wizards and other strange mythical creatures in their quest to find the Wizard of Oz to solve their problems.
In a certain light the role of a manager can be seen like a journey into an unknown land like Oz. A person by themselves could face and struggle through the new land or manager position/ work-load by themselves, but like Dorothy the manager needs a good support system and to delegate the work-load efficiently. The ability to assemble a good team is a skill that a good manager must utilize. This is an important skill that a god manager needs and Dorothy obtained as it is one thing to understand your vision and goals,but it is a completely different skill to make sure the managers team work well together to achieve the company/business’s goals. Dorothy represents a good manager as she incorporated the Scarecrow’s, Tin-man’s and Lions struggles and came up with a solution that benefited the team, which is a key skill in managers through the work force.
Jay Gatsby
If you strip back all the hullabaloo of the Great Gatsby story, you can find that Jay Gatsby fits the embodiment of successful manager perfectly. Two of the keys skills and desirable traits of an manager are entrepreneurship and charisma. Successful managers are magnate and adaptable, which translates to entrepreneurship and networking skills that leave lasting impressions on future contacts, employees, employers, customers and colleagues.
Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 Novel is described as a young, mysterious millionaire with shady business connections. Gatsby plays the role of entrepreneur to a ‘T’, he is a firm believer throughout the. novel of first impressions. Which speaks to managerial skill of spokesperson He stresses that first impressions have the ability to make or break a deal, Gatsby always dresses well and is described as a master of networking, with a key skill of leaving a lasting charismatic impression.
Another managerial skill Gatsby showcases is ambition. From Gatsby humble beginnings in North Dakota he achieved a successful career, which also shows a key element of focus. Although he does display his focus on his numerous shady business dealings his obsession with Daisy Buchanan also shows his ability for long term planning.
Gatsby is also the personification of the terms ‘I think therefore I am’ and ‘ fake it till you make it’ he manifested his desire through his focus and drive. His continuous belief that his focus and drive will be fruitful, has given him seemingly great success throughout the novel. Which many life coaches/ career guidance teachers, etc stress are key components to success and being a successful manager.
Hermione Granger
Hermione Granger is a fictional character in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Hermione’s most prominent characteristics include her intellect and cleverness. Hermione is described as levelheaded, book-smart, organized and very logical. These are all key skills a manager must incorporate if they want to be a successful. A manager is a person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff. Hermione Granger throughout the series is definitely responsible for administering, organizing and leading a group or groups from the, Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore’s Army and The Golden Trio.
During the series Hermione uses her research skills to gather useful information in the aim to defeat Lord Voldemort. When the Golden Trio found themselves struggling in their aim, Hermione would showcase her managerial skills by coming up with a solution. Another managerial skill Hermione possesses is even though she often comes across as bossy she is undoubtably unfailingly dutiful and loyal to her friends, she is a person that can be counted on. These are key skills a manager must acquire as the reputation of being someone a team can count on is a valuable asset to any manager or business.
Like Jay Gatsby, Hermione Granger showcases that focus and drive are key skills of a manager. Hermione Granger is described in the series as never straying off her path, she always keeps her attention focused on the job that must be done. This focus and drive makes her invaluable in the victory over Voldemort.
Another skill that is desirable in a manager is compassion and empathy, the ability to connect with colleges. During the series Hermione is extremely compassionate and is quick to aid other characters in the series. An example of this is her continued defense and aid of Neville Longbottom, also her campaigns to gain rights for House-Elves, Muggle-born, werewolves and mythical creatures, which the Pottermore website informs us that she continued in her Ministry of Magic Career, where she was in fact the manager\head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.
A key thing in the end of this post is a disclaimer. These characters mentioned are not my intellectual property they belong to there independent authors whom I gathered there cannon characteristics from to showcase there manager qualities.
Pictures from Google images.
Bethany Webb McConville 
Leave a comment