Tolkien's work offers valuable lessons for IT practitioners, particularly in understanding management styles and their impact on teams. The seven Maiar, including Gandalf, Sauron, Saruman, Radagast, the Blue Wizards, Melian, and others, can be seen as representative of different management approaches. Gandalf represents a empowering manager who prioritizes team success, while Sauron embodies a totalitarian dictator-like approach. Other characters, like Saruman and Radagast, exhibit self-aggrandizing and tool-focused behaviors, respectively. The Blue Wizards exemplify absentee managers, and Melian represents a singularly focused manager who invests in building up their team. The story of Tolkien's work also highlights the importance of giving employees tools and empowering them to grow, rather than relying on powerful objects (like root access) that can be misused. Ultimately, IT practitioners can learn from Tolkien's lessons about weaving personal stories into their work, finding joy and passion in their roles, and creating inclusive workplaces that value psychological safety. These insights are relevant not only for IT professionals but also for anyone seeking to improve their management skills or create a positive work environment.