Be a Manager like Barney Stinson: Inspirational TV Heroes

Who would not want Barney Stinson’s dream job in “How I Met Your Mother”? Thanks to this womanizer, the phrase “Suit up!” quickly became famous. Conversely, Stuart Bloom, owner of the comic store in the popular “Big Bang Theory”, is a rather deterrent example. Sitcom characters affect us more than we admit, they become familiar to us and we commonly refer to them in everyday life. What kinds of heroes with leadership skills are really worth emulating?

A TV series can win millions of fans worldwide because it offers viewers a short viewing time, a digestible storyline and characters with whom they can identify with. Some types of heroes are funny, others motivate us and there is often a bit of both. Stinson’s formula for success is not applicable to entertainment after work or a way to soak up spoken English. We may regard Stinson creativity as an inspiration for managerial skills.

Whizz Manager: Barney Stinson

Barney has become an icon for contemporary 20- and 30-year-olds. Even his closest friends in the series “How I Met Your Mother” have no idea what he actually does in the multinational bank. Judging by his expensive suits and elegant apartment containing purely masculine gadgets, it can be assumed that he lives the high life. He abounds with self-confidence and subordinates adore him. He knows no obstacles; every situation is a challenge to him. He plunges headlong into everything and often succeeds. And if not, he does not become depressed. His good mood, his catch phrases “challenge accepted”, “high five!” and “suit up” are “legen … wait … dary!”

How many young managers like Barney are in charge of companies that despite being energetic are self-satisfied and dismissive of their employees? Barney knows that he will not remain permanently in the company and so he has no career ambitions. Otherwise, he would probably tame his passions and respect his work responsibilities more than his amorous adventures.

Jen Barber: The Team is Important!

A character from “The IT Crowd” TV sitcom depicts many stereotypical images of women. The female boss does not understand the IT industry at all, yet she manages a couple of antisocial “IT geeks”. And she is doing fine. She is sociable, empathetic and versed in dealing with crisis situations, which are skills that the staff of her IT department lacks. She knows nothing about computers (“If you type ‘Google’ into Google, you can break the Internet, so please no one try it”), but this does not prevent her from successfully managing a disparate team of oddballs.

She is a highly regarded Manager for several reasons. She gets along well with everybody and cements the group. She is able to adapt to the atmosphere, the company management, and crisis situations. At first glance, her weakness might seem to be that she is completely lost in any expert discussion. But even then, she can react quickly and puts on a good act. After all, she has people to do the actual work.

Rachel Green: Hobby as a Job

Our list cannot ignore the famous American sitcom, “Friends”, and the character of Rachel. Her story is inspirational to all young people who know what they want and go for it. As a spoiled young girl, she left her husband-to-be, renouncing financial security and Dad’s credit cards. She put on a waitress’s apron for her first earnings. But all the time, she was seeking a career in the fashion industry. As a clothing saleswoman, she endured the quirks of customers. In each position, she advanced to finally become Executive Manager of a famous fashion house.

Rachel is the type of boss who has climbed up through the entire hierarchy of professions in the pursuit of her dream. Therefore, she is perfectly acquainted with the workload of her subordinates and can assess their abilities. Rachel’s co-workers like and respect her for her devotion to duty.

Resigned Stuart Bloom

Stuart of “The Big Bang Theory” is the opposite of a “role model”. He owns a comic book store, where he is close to his beloved superheroes every day. His clientele is very narrow, and he does not even feel the need to exert an effort for expansion. He is constantly complaining about his boring life, which he contrasts with the colorful world of the stories that he sells. Eternally depressed, Stuart is an entrepreneur who awaits his end, is not going anywhere and is merely surviving. Would you trust him as a supplier of products? If the Manager himself lacks enthusiasm and motivation, he can hardly expect it from his colleagues and employees.

What fictional characters inspire you, or conversely discourage you?