One-Time Offer: Leadership Lessons From 'The Godfather'

If someone says that “The Godfather” is one of the greatest American films ever made, maybe a throng of people would react and tell him that this is a gross understatement. For starters, it is the best and certainly a highly influential film in its genre. A gangster movie won’t ever be the same again. It was difficult to escape the looming shadow of Vito Corleone even on a good day. And the whole movie screams “iconic” from beginning till end. If a person is fortunate enough, Nino Rota’s “Speak Softly Love” won’t be stuck in his head for ages.

Image source: flickr.com

However hard it is for anyone to imagine that people can learn a thing or two about leadership from this critically acclaimed classic, the Corleones’ approach to issues and the situations encountered by the leading characters here in this film offer valuable insights. One cannot overemphasize the fact that this is not to condone or support criminal and immoral acts. There are general lessons, though, which do not involve those acts, that can help leaders achieve goals.

One of the clearest takeaways from the movie is the fact that building a network is as important as keeping an organization’s own core resources strong and independent. A group must acknowledge the necessity of forging ties and interconnected mutual relationships with other institutions that might help them survive in the most trying of times. Relationships outside of the immediate workplace can also surprisingly provide a perspective on issues and problems that beset the organization. The Corleones fiercely endorse familial closeness and friendships.

Image source: flickr.com

Resilience when faced with the most troublesome circumstances and the need for backup plans and other preparations for the future are necessary considerations that an effective leader must take into account. Executions work primarily because of careful and strategic planning. Business eventualities are dynamic, not static. One must plot possible solutions to future problems.

Richard Ohlhaber lists 'The Godfather' as one of his favorite movies. To learn more about his interests, follow this blog.