Workers Are Mad for The ‘Don Draper Effect’
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Frazer Harrison/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The TV hit Mad Men may take place at a fictional ad agency during the 1960s but some of its workplace dynamics are still applicable today. At least, according to a survey conducted by recruitment company Futurestep that encompassed 1,500 companies in the U.S., United Kingdom, China, Brazil, Germany, France and Australia.
Even though Mad Men might not be an international phenomenon, some of its plots are universal, including the strong relationship secretary-turned-copywriter Peggy Olson has with her boss, agency head Don Draper, the series’ rakish lead character played by actor Jon Hamm.
In what has been referred to as the “Don Draper effect,” Peggy learns she can get ahead by getting close to the boss. That also seems to be the number-one real-life lesson learned by workers in their ambition to move up the corporate ladder.
Of lesser importance is forming close relationship with co-workers. Intelligence seems to rank lower than nearly anything else, reinforcing the longtime belief that it’s not what you know at work but who you know that counts.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio