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The results are in and some are more predictable than others. Jim Gordon, Gotham City’s dedicated police commissioner from The Dark Knight trilogy is most popular in New York, which isn’t a huge surprise given Gotham City is primarily influenced by New York City.3 Jim Gordon understands the needs and limitations of his workforce while providing transparency and updates to Batman, two qualities that research shows make for an effective leader.4
Indiana is home to a Guinness World Records resident, who at one time boasted the biggest collection of batman memorabilia anywhere, which could explain the state’s love of Bruce Wayne (i.e., Batman).5 You can still view his 1,200 sq. ft. collection today, which he donated to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis for residents of all ages to enjoy.
We assumed Indiana’s favorite would be Ron Swanson or Leslie Knope, two peculiar, yet hardworking bosses from “Parks and Recreation,” famously set in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana.6 Instead, Ron Swanson was the most popular in places a few hundred miles west in the states of Montana and North Dakota, while Leslie Knope reigned supreme in the Southern state of Tennessee.
Michael Scott, star of “The Office,” Dunder Mifflin’s goofy, but lovable boss, is most popular in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. The Michael Scott fandom is evident with best-selling tee shirts sold on Etsy that don the slogan, “Michael Scott For President 2024.”7 While Michael Scott didn’t go to college (having lost all of his money due to a pyramid scheme), most CEOs possess undergraduate degrees in finance, business, computer science, healthcare or administration — all programs GCU offers.8
“Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope” (the first installment of the “Star Wars” series) brought us both good and evil characters like Darth Vader and Princess Leia. Darth Vader, an agent of the Empire, was the most popular boss in California, while Princess Leia was the favorite in Washington state. These “Star Wars” insights make sense given cities like Seattle, Washington, and San Diego, California, are well-known for their Comic-Con events where “the force” is strong.9