From Literary Portraits to Managerial Images

What about the realm of professionalism, specifically managerial photography? Where did these images originate? Have the representations of managers, bosses, or directors always adhered to the same conventions? What insights do they provide about the depicted professionals?

Upon a cursory search for “manager” or “boss” on Google Images or Stock photo sites, one encounters remarkably uniform representations:

• A man or sometimes a woman in a suit (depicting a professional and successful individual).
• Set against a bright, expansive background such as an office (signifying an intellectual profession, distanced from factory work).
• Often posed with arms crossed (indicating determination).
• Frequently sporting a broad smile (implying motivation and friendliness).

The typical representation of a manager often features them alone, although in the startup world, it's common to see founders depicted with their teams or collaborators during peer meetings, dressed in matching corporate attire.

Historical Context of Managerial Photography

Looking back, it becomes evident that managerial images from 15 years ago were strikingly similar to those we see today:

The postures, expressions, and framing remain consistent with contemporary images, although the background in the 2000s often featured flat colors that lacked depth, unlike today's more dynamic perspectives made possible by digital photography.

Unsurprisingly, similar trends can be observed in the 1990s, even if, as seen in <i>l’Usine Nouvelle</i>, France's leading industry magazine, some background elements hinted at the individual's field (like a miniature rocket or a building facade).

Going even further back, photographs from the 1930s to the 1970s shared similar compositional elements, often devoid of smiles. They frequently depicted staged scenarios that illustrated the manager's authority—like a boss handing a document to a secretary or an executive surrounded by young professionals. If not through employees, the decor often underscored the symbolism of power, featuring large desks, documents to be signed, and impressive artwork.

This visual language is not unique to France; it resonates throughout European and North American cultures, as demonstrated by the following examples:

Has the Role of Manager Remained Static?

So, has the role of manager or company director remained unchanged throughout history? Digital advancements, management practices, and even workplace architecture differ vastly from those of 80 years ago!

If I asked you to envision a doctor from the 1950s, your mental image would likely be vastly different from that of a doctor in 2024.

Why, then, does the image of a manager seem so resistant to change?

Understanding the Managerial Role

The revelation is that being a manager is not defined as a job in the traditional sense. How so? Allow me to elaborate.

Searching for terms like “trade” or “profession” throughout history reveals a diverse array of images dating back to the 19th century, providing glimpses into the essence of various trades and their practitioners.

These engravings or photographs typically showcase:

• A specific location (workshop, factory, shop, salon, etc.). In contrast to managers, who often inhabit interchangeable office spaces, workers are bound to specific sites; they cannot work from anywhere, unlike digital nomads or intellectuals.
• The tools essential for the trade: while a computer might serve as a tool, the absence of a pen doesn’t diminish a manager’s identity. Conversely, a woman in a white coat could represent a myriad of professions; without her tools, she is indistinct.
• Professional attire: blouses, aprons, chef hats, uniforms, etc. While a suit can be categorized as workwear, it lacks variation based on hierarchical status or role, unlike distinct attire for different professions.

If a manager's portrait lacks a specific professional context, what does it signify?

Here, history reveals intriguing insights. The standardized suit, the resolute expression, and symbols of authority indicate that the portrayal of managers draws more from images of political or military leaders than from those of workers. This becomes even clearer when comparing the two side by side.

By invoking traditional leadership imagery, the creators of managerial photographs suggest notable parallels:

• The general manager, akin to a commanding general, occupies a well-defined hierarchy, mastering institutional codes to reach their position through skill.
• The role bestows significant authority, necessitating a sense of seriousness and responsibility.
• In both roles, there are individuals making critical daily decisions and asserting their influence.
• They are individuals capable of altering the paths of many, leaving a mark on history.

Key Takeaways

The historical portrayal of managers reveals that this profession is not characterized by a unique technique or tool. Instead, a clear distinction arises: social status and hierarchical influence over others. This notion is further emphasized through deliberate allusions to political and military imagery.

Thus, being a manager transcends mere <i>activity</i>; it embodies a <i>state</i> or way of being, reflecting a person's essence rather than their actions, as depicted in these images.

Does this imply that a manager is merely idle and relies on symbolic status? Certainly not. However, these images convey that the primary activities of a manager elude visual representation. Given that managerial work is fundamentally intellectual—encompassing team management, performance tracking, strategic reporting, and corporate communication—photos cannot encapsulate what it means to be a manager. As a result, they focus on the sole visible differentiator: the manager's face. This explains the prevalence of similar portraits, the consistency over time, and the emphasis on status.

One could indeed write volumes on the iconography of power, from royal portraits to modern leaders' social media profiles. My intent was to guide you through a visual journey of 20th-century managerial portraits, while also sharing how Paul Auster inspired me to perceive the world differently.

After all, one might argue that Paul Auster’s portrait could very well resemble that of a manager, wouldn’t you agree?