There have been soooo many TV bosses over the years, and let’s just say they’re quite the mixed bag. Some inspired, motivated, and genuinely cared about their teams, while others should’ve been fired right from the jump.
From sitcoms to dramas, fictional bosses have given us some unforgettable lessons in leadership — whether it’s the good, the bad, or the ugly. Here are my takes for the 7 bosses who deserve an employee of the year award, and 7 who should’ve never been allowed to even step foot on the premises.
Here are some that I think are the best:
1.
Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation was the definition of boss goals. She was endlessly supportive, hyped up her team like no other, and would go to the ends of the earth to make Pawnee better. She truly set the gold standard for leadership.🌟🌟
2.
Captain Holt from Brooklyn Nine-Nine may have had the stoic poker face of the century, but underneath it all was a deeply caring leader. He treated everyone with fairness and respect, and always encouraged their growth. At the end of the day, Holt was a teddy bear wrapped in a captain’s uniform.
3.
Running a live TV comedy show can be difficult, but Liz Lemon from 30 Rock managed it like a pro. She often sacrificed her own sanity just to make sure her team could stay afloat. Liz led with empathy and sarcasm in equal measure — a true queen of controlled chaos.
4.
Running the Independence Inn while raising Rory on her own was no small feat, but Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls made it look easy. She treated her staff like family and proved that above the privilege, she still had hustle and ambition.
5.
Sam Malone from Cheers turned his bar into a workplace that was fun, warm, and welcoming. He led with humour and heart, and created a space where everyone could feel at home. Relationship and past dramas aside, he truly made the bar “where everybody knows your name” an exceptional one.
6.
Miranda Bailey from Grey’s Anatomy was strict, but it always came from a place of tough love. She pushed her interns to their limits, but also nurtured them into brilliant surgeons. Plus, her rule “Don’t bother sucking up” deserves a management award of its own.
7.
Jessica Pearson from Suits was a powerhouse in the boardroom. She commanded respect, fought for her firm, and was super invested in the growth of her employees. Jessica always proved she was a leader through and through.
And now, here are some that I think are the absolute worst:
8.
Logan Roy from Succession is the embodiment of a toxic, power-hungry boss. He constantly manipulated, intimidated, and played with his employees (and kids) feelings. Did he know business? Absolutely. But did he need a lot of therapy and perhaps a leave from his business entirely? Yes.
9.
I know people might fight me on this, but Michael Scott from The Office was an absolute disaster. He meant well most of the time, but his lack of boundaries and endless inappropriate behaviour was unbearable. He constantly made work harder for his employees and somehow thought everyone loved his antics…
10.
Mr. Krabs from SpongeBob SquarePants was way too obsessed with money to care about his employees. SpongeBob and Squidward worked insane hours for pennies while he thought of ways to cut corners. Plus he never, ever, promotes them. He honestly deserves jail time more than a simple firing. Somebody call HR please.
11.
Selina Meyer from Veep was hilarious to watch, but a nightmare to work for. She constantly humiliated her staff, flip flopped on policies, and inspired a workplace of fear rather than loyalty. Working for Selina would leave you one insult away from a breakdown.
12.
Sue Sylvester from Glee wasn’t just a terrible boss, she was downright terrifying, especially considering she worked in a high school surrounded by teenagers. Most of the time she was the Cheerios coach, but yes, we know she somehow managed to become principal for a short (and chaotic) stint. Whether she was bullying the Glee club, sabotaging faculty, or manipulating everyone around her, Sue thrived on control. She was hilarious on-screen, but would be stressful AF to be around IRL.
13.
Working for a fashion magazine is already high pressure, but Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty made it 10 times worse. She was constantly plotting against her coworkers for her own personal gain. Yes, she could get the work done, but not without turning the office into a battlefield.
14.
Don Draper from Mad Men was manipulative, erratic, and emotionally unavailable. His personal demons regularly seeped into the office for the absolute WORST, and caused unpredictability for everyone around him. He was the ultimate example of a toxic boss.
Do you agree with my takes? Which fictional bosses would you love to work for IRL, and which ones would make you immediately quit on day one? Let us know in the comments!