“The Godfather,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola and acted in by Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Al Pacino is one of the greatest movies of all time. Apart from the aesthetic charm and entertainment value, the movie has a lot of lessons regarding one's approach towards life, personal attitude and business dealings.
Interestingly, most of these lessons are quite contemporary in the context of Bangladesh. In this era of high speed internet, low speed vehicle movement and changing social norms and corporate structure, “The Godfather” teaches core lessons that are needed to ensure success.
Here are seven lessons that are relevant to the contemporary business community of Bangladesh:
1) Family comes first
"Do you spend time with your family? Good. Because a man that doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man." – Don Vito Corleone
The core teaching of the film is: family first, always. The head of New York City’s most powerful family, Don Vito Corleone, spent his whole life protecting his family. One member of the family tend to help another when needed and required; family never hesitates to bend the rules for any of the family members; and when one is sick or attacked, others step ahead and take over. Apart from these, earning members spend time with their children no matter how occupied they are in business.
Bangladesh is moving fast to become a middle income earning nation. Speed is the key. Businessman and corporate professionals, in many extent, are ignoring the family to focus more on the economic progress. But at the end of the day, it is the family that matters, not the long meetings, distant clients or fancy business dinners. Family should come first, always.
2) When it is time to listen, do not talk
"I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen." – Don Vito Corleone
The movie teaches that one should listen when he or she is supposed to. Talking when listening might hurt one in the future.
The idea is not to dominate any meeting, may it be business or political. Let others participate. To get the group started, the moderator needs to speak up, but once they are rolling, no need to dominate the group. Most businesses and trading are team exercises, so participation of every group member is important.
3) Don’t Take It Personally
"It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business." – Michael Corleone
One of the persistent and strong themes of the film is “business business” versus “personal business.” For the Mafiosi syndicate, the above quote by Michael is more like a slogan. The characters in the movie try to portray this distinction throughout the story.
However, this motto frequently gets lost due to gang warfare and heated emotions. Sonny Corleone, who was in queue of becoming the next Don, almost lost the moral of this slogan when his father was shot. This is seen when he ordered brutal attacks on almost all rival leaders who were in sight, forgetting that personal and business matters were different. However, Michael, as the head, at the end assumes his rightful place – pure business.
Bangladesh’s social norms are more bowed towards personal touch than professional. Unless business is only business, professionalism will not reach the expected level. Corporate professionals too need to develop a habit of keeping business to business.
4) Being decisive
In the movie, Don Vito Corleone exactly knows what he wants. He commanded respect through firm leadership and executed decisively. In order to make the right choice, the movie teaches that one should know the team well. It is also important to trust them so that they can also take decisive action in the dealings.
Being decisive in key business moments can ensure major deals and it can get projects implemented on time.
5) Being prepared
"Hey, listen, I want somebody good – and I mean very good – to plant that gun. I don’t want my brother coming out of that toilet with just his dick in his hands, alright?" – Santino “Sonny” Corleone
The movie teaches that being prepared gets job done and vice versa. Chances are limited and do not come every day. Therefore, the key is to be prepared.
It often takes time to put up a plan together. The movie teaches that once the goal is identified, brainstorming is required. The final step is to brief all the participants of the plan. A well planned action means half of the execution is done.
6) Do not say “No” to everything
"No Sicilian can ever refuse a request on his daughter’s wedding day." – Tom Hagen
This is the hardest part to contain for many people in the business community. The movie teaches that the internal monitor must be turned off in order to succeed.
It was not easy for Don Corleone sitting in his study at the wedding of his daughter and agreeing to the random requests made by others; but he did it. He was looking at the future by not saying no. Saying “no” randomly blocks many future avenues.
7) Building a powerful community
"Someday, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you to do a service for me." – Don Vito Corleone
The above words exemplify how Don Vito Corleone has created a loyal community, particularly amongst those he helped in the past. Vito Corleone built an influential network by helping people deal with their problems and granting favors. This relationship might or might not be able to yield a quantifiable or specific return, however it served to strengthen Don Corleone’s power base. This power base, in the long run, has the potential to be mutual.
Any business in Bangladesh is bound to do well if a powerful community is build. Building such community nevertheless is a tough thing to do. Patience is required. No tips will work unless are implemented wisely. If followed sensibly, these lessons from ‘The Godfather’ will surely bring brawny business success. Avoiding these will guarantee pure failure!
