Back in 2006, The Devil Wears Prada introduced audiences to one of cinema’s most iconic workplace bosses: Miranda Priestly. At the time, her leadership style -demanding, authoritarian and often toxic - felt strangely familiar to many people working in corporate environments.
But nearly twenty years later, workplace culture has changed dramatically, and we see that play out in cinemas at the moment with the movie's sequel The Devil Wears Prada 2.
In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, hosts Dave Corkery and Mary Cullen are joined by Insight HR consultants Aoife Dolan and Joe Redmond, to explore how The Devil Wears Prada and its sequel reflect the evolution of leadership, workplace expectations and employee rights over the past two decades.
Guests
• Aoife Dolan — HR Consultant, Insight HR
• Joe Redmond — HR Consultant, Insight HR
Topics include:
• How The Devil Wears Prada reflects workplace culture in 2006 versus today
• Miranda Priestly’s leadership style and the evolution of toxic workplace behaviours
• Generational shifts in expectations around work-life balance, wellbeing and psychological safety
• The impact of social media, Glassdoor and public WRC decisions on employer reputation
• Why employees today are more willing to raise grievances and speak up about toxic behaviour
• The relationship between pressure, burnout and workplace conflict
• The importance of psychological safety in creating healthy, high-performing workplaces
Key Takeaways for HR Leaders
• Toxic leadership styles may still exist — but employees are increasingly willing to challenge them.
• Psychological safety and dignity at work are now essential expectations, not optional extras.
• Generational shifts are changing attitudes toward work-life balance, wellbeing and leadership.
• Organisations that ignore toxic behaviour risk reputational damage, retention issues and increased complaints.
• High performance should never excuse bullying, harassment or inappropriate conduct.
• Employer reputation is more exposed than ever through social media, Glassdoor reviews and public WRC cases.
• HR teams play a critical role in coaching leaders, addressing poor behaviour and shaping healthy cultures.
Referenced Episodes and Resources
• Episode 263 — Generational Differences in the Workplace with Dr Mary Collins
• Episode 261 — Neurodiversity & Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• Workplace Bullying Webinar featuring Adrian Twomey
• Insight HR Workplace Investigations
Get in Touch
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If you have suggestions for future episodes, or if you’d like to join us as a guest, reach out to Dave Corkery at dcorkery@insighthr.ie or connect with him on LinkedIn.
About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR — where we speak with HR leaders, experts and practitioners across Ireland about the issues shaping the world of work today.
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