For those of you who’ve seen it, it’s almost not even worth mentioning that The Godfather is one of the best movies ever made. Yes, it’s a gangster movie. Yes, it’s full of blood, killing, sin and sorrow. And yes, it’s full of astounding business lessons as well.
There are far more references to business than I can mention here, but here are the top dozen that really stand out.
And if you haven’t seen it, please add it to your Netflix queue as soon as you possibly can. Trust me, you’re already running behind.
Here Are 12 Business Lessons From The Godfather
- Make them an offer they can’t refuse.
- Don’t discuss business at the table.
- Don’t ever take sides against the family.
- Never lose your cool. Let the other guy lose his temper. You’re better than that.
- Insist on hearing bad news immediately.
- It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.
- Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
- Never hate your enemies—it affects your judgement.
- Never tell anybody outside the family what you’re thinking.
- The richest man is the one with the most powerful friends.
- Your enemies always get strong on what you leave behind.
- A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.
If you want a good model of a (Hollywood) example of the consummate businessman, Michael Corleone is about as good as they come. It’s a great moral discussion as well—when a bunch of guys are sitting around and you have some time, just mention The Godfather, and listen to the opinions fly. It’s guaranteed to be a good conversation.