216. Miranda Priestly Was Ruthless, or Simply Committed to Excellence?

In this very first episode in a new series of conversations around Devil Wears Prada, Julia begins with a question that sits at the heart of the film and of leading itself: when we call someone ruthless, what do we actually mean? In conversation with Phaedra, the discussion moves beyond the surface of The Devil Wears Prada and into the realities of making decisions when something important is at stake. Phaedra reframes the idea of ruthlessness — not as cruelty, but as discipline, focus, and an uncompromising commitment to the mission. Leading, she argues, often requires making decisions that are difficult, unpopular, and sometimes misunderstood. A central tension in the episode is the question of what comes first — the mission or people’s comfort. While care and respect matter, decisions cannot always be shaped by how people feel in the moment. From addressing underperformance to making hard calls that protect the organisation, leading demands clarity about what matters most. The conversation also draws an important distinction between being ruthless and being mean. Meanness, driven by ego or self-interest, is something to reject. But being relentless in pursuit of something that matters — even when it costs you popularity — may be necessary. Returning to Miranda Priestly, the episode invites us to reconsider what we saw. Was she simply harsh — or was she clear, focused, and unwilling to compromise on standards? This episode sets the tone for the series — questioning the language we use, challenging assumptions, and opening up a more honest conversation about what leading really requires. About the Guest Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins is the Co-Founder and CEO of Promise, a category-defining technology company using AI to make government more efficient and public services more accessible. Under her leadership, Promise has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid while helping governments operate with greater efficiency, accuracy, and transparency. Recognized by global institutions for her impact, she is a leading voice on modernizing government and serves on the boards of Honor and Tipping Point Community.