When followers go after something they want, they tend to low ball or make a weak offer in the belief that the other side will negotiate. 7 Business Analyst Lessons From The Godfather Written by ... such as a short phone call to a colleague before you consider escalating a problem to senior management. The cult movie Godfather is one that all of us have watched. Lessons from the Godfather Trilogy: Universal Principles and Practical Advice by Daniel Cummins. The movie contains many valuable management skills such as: An offer you can’t refuse Making an offer in a powerfully irresistible way is a valuable lesson from the movie. This I discovered during that great presentation in Prague. Strategy Lessons from The Godfather. These aren’t the only reasons why you should watch this movie. For information on print subscriptions sign up below and check the relevant box. Bruce Harpham writes about project management training. In this setting, the themes of loyalty, competition, improvisation and “thinking big” are all explored. Aside from being one of the most influential books and films of my generation, The Godfather has a few lessons for the boss of a family-run business, writes Ken Jacobson, CEO of chief executive mentoring organisation Vistage. 1 FADE FROM BLACK INT. "I never miss Developing Leaders… a sophisticated source of new thinking around leadership development." An Offer They Can't Refuse: There are many differences between those who lead and those who follow, and one that stands out in both the movie and in real life is this; great leaders negotiate differently. It’s been praised for being cinematically brilliant, having well-defined characters, and being able to tell the story of gangsters and immigrants through a well-written plot. Lesson: Sometimes, you give a favor simply to make the world a better place. What steps you take next to grow that novel idea is your journey towards success or failure. The strategic planning and business savvy these stories depict demonstrate the complexity of human nature and the lengths people go to in order to be well off in this tough competitive world. The Corleone family is no different. Even use the word respect and tell them why this is so; this is something the Godfather does a great deal. Great leaders are very good at listening. Ashley Sierzega. Her WHY is her 5 year old daughter, Oshyn. Over the last Christmas vacation, I watched both Godfathers 1 and 2 twice apiece. The Godfather tells Sonny to shut up and then later explained to him that he should never tell anyone outside of the family what he is thinking. If the offer is something that cannot be refused, the business will not suffer from the lack of customers because there always will be customers who will want more from your business. By downloading this resource your information will be shared with its authors. Be decisive, remember it’s just business and keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The Godfather Now you’ve learned about the Godfather’s techniques, it is time to put them into action. A cross-discipline approach to the art and science of leadership, with research, analysis, opinion and practical advice from the world’s foremost business thinkers and practitioners. She is addicted to awesome shoes, reading, writing, cool people, and building business empires, including the 5th largest real estate firm in Massachusetts, LAER Realty Partners, closing more than $1B in real estate sales annually. Great leaders are in the business of building relationships and the byproduct of their amazing network is a successful real estate, widget, or olive oil business. This is what differentiates a good leader from a great one. Risk Management; Healthcare; Innovation & Technology; Insurance Law; Leadership; Life Insurance; Property/Casualty; Workers Compensation; Six Things; Advertise; Subscribe ; Home:: Leadership::Lessons from the Godfather Trilogy: Universal Principles and Practical Advice . Have you ever watched a movie and asked “what can I learn about managing and business from this film” even when that is not the main purpose of the film. So, there’s 3 business lessons to learn from The Godfather- one of the greatest films of all time. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. For this reason, he never sits alone when taking a request for help from someone. While waiting for the security to show up, the local baker stops by to visit Corleone with some flowers. Michael realizes that a hit is about to go down on his father and calls the family for back up. The Godfather, in an effort to call an end to the war, brought together all the families for a meeting so that they could talk through the problems and come to a resolution. Never rat on your colleagues, keep your “organisation’s” reputation intact and if you refuse to let go of the reigns, you may well end up with a horse’s head in your bed. Human Resource Management Magazine Best in Business, Now in one Place (Forwards, Articles etc. ) President, Proximo, LLC. Reporting on Hadida’s teaching style, Parminder Bahra of Wall Street Journal also agreed that “there are many examples from the arts where business issues are raised.” So perhaps Hadida is on to something. Summary. The Godfather (Parts I, II, and III) are classic movies (adapted from a bestselling novel) that have all stood the test of time. The movie focuses entirely on The Godfather's ability to manage the hundreds of relationships he has built over his lifetime. Get Everyone Around the Table: When all hell breaks loose in business and in life, great leaders step up and insist that all affected parties come together for a meeting. Moore says The Godfather offers valuable lessons in community and team building, making tough decisions, and playing to win while not neglecting friends and family. BRUCE HARPHAM. It was the top-grossing movie of that year, won multiple Academy … Leadership Lessons from 'The Godfather' What does a real-life CEO have in common with the central figures of a fictitious Mafia crime family in The Godfather? After spending 40 years never having seen either, it was time to rectify, and I offer the following lessons I learned (I’m saving #3 for next year). When you strip the story of the bloodshed and drama you are left with something entrepreneurs like me savor; pure unadulterated lessons on how to lead an empire. In this case, it was a huge success based on self-belief. Here are the 8 leadership lessons I learned from the Don: Delegate Immediately: Great leaders climb to their positions because they are typically really good at getting things done. When Don Corleone was in the hospital and Sonny was running things, there was one point where Sonny said, "No more advice on how to patch things up. He sat back and observed, understanding that what people say to you (including employees, associates, and customers) is only a very small fraction of the truth. Many of the other tips that follow will all add up to creating respect, but there are other more direct ways too. As the empire grows it is essential to figure out a way to make sure that promises continue to be fulfilled so that those who follow continue to have respect and faith in the leader. Transactional Leadership Can Work. Mike Periu. Is a selection of clips from blockbuster movies the new, timesaving alternative to dense case studies when teaching executive education? Stacey Alcorn is the author of REACH! Before we dive any deeper into the shark infested waters of The Godfather seeking pearls of wisdom, let us examine the dirty side of this coin – brought out in the same book. Having read the book and watched the movie, I was enthralled with the lessons to the extent that I wrote down leadership lessons throughout the story. Such is the case of Michael Corleone at his father's funeral. Here are 5 valuable marketing lessons from the Corleone family that will help you take on the Tattaglias, Barzinis and Sollozzos that you face! - Michelle Quest, Partner, KPMG LLP Although the Don has a considered and measured approach to … This makes Hadida’s creative approach a welcome addition to the increasing executive education options available today. What struck me about this movie was that if you can identify a need that isn’t being satisfied, what you have is an opportunity on your hands. According to Justin Moore, CEO and founder of Axcient, plenty. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer." Throughout The Godfather … The most salient seem to be (in order of applicability to us, the average people): 1. Relationship Business: Awesome leaders are not really in the business of real estate, selling widgets, or producing olive oil. Learn from The Godfather! Corporations today can learn plenty from the Corleone family and emulate the leadership styles and lessons put forth by the Godfather. This movie captures the true challenges entrepreneurs of today face. 9294 flickr.com The "Godfather" Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, follows the business of the Corleones, a powerful Italian-American family living in New York. DON CORLEONE'S HOME OFFICE – DAY BONASERA (seated in front of the Don's desk, facing the camera) I believe in America. The Godfather is an iconic film and novel that everyone remembers and quotes. Using Council: The Godfather always had his consigliere, Tom, by his side for council. Here are a few I would like to outline. In fact, Tom, advised each family member at times. - Dream, Stretch, Achieve Influence and regularly travels the world showing business entrepreneurs how to REACH!. Her students include corporate executives, who she says she often takes out of their “comfort zones [and uses] visual elements like movies or graphic novels to make them reflect on what are business-related situations, yet depicted in different settings.”. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion. Cabrini University. There are so many remarkable lessons -- from Michael Corleone's hero's journey to his succession of leadership from his ailing father during a tumultuous gang war. Leaders can learn a lot from The Godfather. Thank you, Jörg Zätzsch & Co., for YOUR values, YOUR confidence, and YOUR inspiration! Don Vito Corleone represents the epitome of wisdom and experience combined. Let’s look at five invaluable leadership lessons from the man who played one of the most iconic characters in cinema. The Godfather Lesson #1: Offer That Can’t Be Refused The most important part for each business is the offer. Leaders negotiate from strength. Fake It: There is one scene where Don Corleone is in the hospital recovering from multiple gunshot wounds. Speak less. Strong relationships coupled with a healthy network results in a powerful business. The Godfather demonstrates an awesome ability to delegate, and to do it immediately. Good Knowledge Management -- During every meeting, he had his "consigliere" with him taking notes and action items to ensure nothing fell through the cracks. All the latest analysis, stories and resources from IEDP.com – as well as invitations to webinars and live events, and a look at the best upcoming programs – direct to your inbox. Not only is The Godfather an entertaining gangster saga, but it is also a story about power, family, and capitalism. 3 Business Lessons From The Godfather 3 Business Lessons From The Godfather. Eyes and Ears: Great leaders are the eyes and ears of their organization. She uses clips from The Godfather to demonstrate diversification in a family business; Gladiator to show the implementation of a functional strategy; Jerry Maguire to illustrate the concept of values, and many more. To honor thy father we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to sift through the three films and novel to find our favorite teachable moments. For those who are interested in Product Management, there are 5 key lessons you Time is money in negotiating. 18 Life Lessons I Learned From "The Godfather" The mafia is not all about the killing. Stacey is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur and Huffington Post and has a weekly podcast series entitled Leaders and Legends on iTunes. Love him or hate him, there is one thing that is certain, The Godfather was an amazing leader. Panelists at a recent NACD Carolinas Chapter program shared insights on board readiness, lessons learned, and the current state of the M&A market. Lessons Learned from The Godfather If I have not mentioned it before; gangster crime films and series provide some of the best entertainment and education for me. The Godfather is not considered to be a classic just because of its direction, caste, story etc. In every business there is drama, he said she said, undermining, antics, and power plays. The main character, Don Vito Corleone is an entrepreneur, whose son, Michael Corleone, works hard to expand the businesses he takes on as successor in a tough climate. In negotiating with customers, vendors, and competitors, everything they say is calculated and filtered because speaking one's mind off the cuff can often be deadly. They are not about haggling or meeting in the middle. … We don’t have people dancing to the regulatory budget yet." Building and connecting the network both inside and outside of the business is the name of the game for great leaders. Of course the Don used one more tool to great effect -- fear. Turns out quite a few films offer some amazing insights and are super fun to watch at the same time. Tell me how to win." Those are just some of the main lessons from The Godfather that could work in life as well as business. Though not traditionally popular for its underlying business lessons, upon further examination it appears that The Godfather does indeed cover a number of important topics in this context. In the first article of this series, Lessons from The Godfather: Make an Offer he Can’t Refuse, we explored the implication of the takeaway in the routine but critical activity of salary negotiation. Let's face it, most people talk a good game, but never follow through. Just as business climates around the world have witnessed major changes in recent years, so too have teaching methods used in business schools. More and more schools are introducing approaches to learning that stray away from traditional styles, and encourage students to think “outside-of-the-box,” such as the approach of Dr. Allègre Hadida at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. America has made my fortune. Great leaders realize that they can't do it all, but have amassed a team that will ensure the job gets done. This week, choose one of the lessons from this article and put it into practice. Instead of butchering a thousand small fish in retaliation, they assassinate the one big fish, the bloodthirsty tiger shark and win the war, or almost. The only way to see through it all is to get all the parties in a room together to communicate. Transactional leadership involves an exchange – money for work, one favor for another. It reflects upon several life lessons worth to be imbibed in your real life. What strikes me most about the story is the way in which the Corleone family is knitted together by fierce, sometimes conflicting emotions: passion, fear and trust. His son, Michael, shows up only to realize that that all of his father's security has been eliminated. Full, Cambridge Judge Business School, Executive Education. It’s a guide to life, offering endless lessons on how to handle every situation you may encounter. Make sure your team knows that you respect them. I gave her freedom, but I taught her never to dishonor her family. Tactfully, they slay him, as we have seen in the previous article, Lessons from The Godfather: Angry Decisions Invite Disasters. The 1972 movie The Godfather is without question one of the best motion pictures ever produced. So it is true in business. But it is not the enemy alone who employs these tactics. A lecturer in strategy, Hadida claims that clips from popular Hollywood films can be used as an effective tool when teaching management and leadership-related matters. In this setting, the themes of loyalty, … 4 - Have A Succession Plan. 6 Money Management Lessons You Can Learn From 'The Godfather' Published on October 26, 2015 October 26, 2015 • 2 Likes • 0 Comments Jan 16, 2016. Stick to your values, be confident even in troublesome times and be a fountain of inspiration – always!. Great leaders are good at getting what they want by stepping into the shoes of the other party to determine what they will be looking for, and then they formulate the offer around that. Tuesday, December 25, 2012. So, how does the Godfather manage this without getting his hands dirty? The main character, Don Vito Corleone is an entrepreneur, whose son, Michael Corleone, works hard to expand the businesses he takes on as successor in a tough climate. This is when Johnny Fontane asks his Godfather for assistance entering the movie business. The Godfather is more than a movie. Great leaders not only have great council, they are very specific as to what kind of council they are seeking. THE GODFATHER Screenplay by Mario Puzo Francis Ford Coppola Based on a Novel by Mario Puzo. Michael trashes the flowers and brings the baker outside to stand on the steps of the hospital with him. Leaders can pull off an occasional bluff when the timing calls for it. One of the most successful movies of all time can lend you some valuable business lessons. Leaders, on the other hand, make things happen. Though not traditionally popular for its underlying business lessons, upon further examination it appears that The Godfather does indeed cover a number of important topics in this context. They sit back quietly and observe. To understand the entire workings of an operation, a great leader simply observes using his eyes and ears, and only then can he see the entire picture. He teaches the baker how to make it look like he's got a gun in his jacket. They make their strongest and best offer first with the assumption that the other party will take it because it's that good. In the life of a business analyst, people come and go. Love him or hate him, there is one thing that is certain, The Godfather was an amazing leader. It has so much substance, and it offers some very important life lessons. When the hit men from the other family show up they see that there must be full blown security on the Don based on the two guys out front with weapons, and they move along. 6 min read. As more and more executives are looking into leadership development programs, innovative and time-efficient teaching methods will certainly become a priority for them. To Tozzi, that lesson also applies to the regulatory world: "You’ve got to get something out there that gets people on the floor. There are plenty more life and business lessons to learn from The Godfather, but I’m not going to tell you to make your competition sleep with the fishes because that would be wrong! “We deliver executive education experiences to develop the skills and mindsets that push forward the boundaries of value creation.”, Join Schulich’s Brett Richards and Renée Bazile-Jones, on 8th Dec, to learn how best to develop adaptability, inclusiveness, and growth in your organization, All the best analysis, articles, resources, and upcoming programs - to your inbox. Shut It: During the meeting with The Sollozzo family, during which that family was trying to get Don Corleone in on the narcotics trade in return for use of some of his high-end political and legal contacts, Sonny shoots his mouth off as to why it wouldn't be a good deal for The Corleone's. Are movies, and the arts in general, the new alternative to reading lengthy academic case studies to understand key business topics? The Positive Lessons. Trust Is Important In Building A Team – Choose Your People Well ; The Godfather was known to use his ears more than his mouth. Neither Michael nor the baker are carrying a weapon, but they fake it. When the Godfather dies, his son Sonny takes over the family in a moment of crisis. Even the film’s most famous quote (“I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”) highlights an important skill required of executives today – negotiation. October 29, 2013 . At a minimum, his consigliere, Tom, or his son, Sonny were always at his side and once he granted a favor to someone, The Godfather would immediately assign the task of fulfilling the favor to one of his team members. He was a cold blooded killer who had set some harsh precedents. Is certain, the themes of loyalty, … the Godfather is without one! 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