What The Mob Can Teach Us About Entrepreneurship

Written by Lou Bortone | June 15, 2012 | 2 Comments

Leadership Lessons From The Mafia’s Home Town

Did you know that the only Mafia induction ceremony ever captured on tape took place in my home town of Medford, Massachusetts? On October 29, 1989, in Medford, the FBI successfully taped an initiation ceremony of New England’s Patriarca crime family. It’s the only such ritual ever recorded. (The movie Goodfellas came out the following year!)

Patriarca Family Underboss Gennaro “Jerry” Anguilo lived up the street from me in North Medford, but he was “pinched” by the FBI the same year I graduated from Boston College. It’s rumored that Irish mobster Whitey Bulger ratted out Anguilo in return for protection from Boston’s equally corrupt FBI.

Growing up in what could easily be called the Mafia’s home town never seemed that unusual. I went to grade school with kids whose fathers routinely “went away” for extended periods of time, and some of our closest friends were “connected.” It was even thought that our little league was run by a mobster!

So what did I learn from growing up surrounded by “La Cosa Nostra?”

Never rat on your friends, and always keep your mouth shut. You may remember this as the advice that Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) gave to a young Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) in the Scorsese classic “Goodfellas.” It worked for the Mafia for hundreds of years and it still works in business today. Gossip and office politics are petty and unproductive. Mind your business, don’t talk out of turn and remain loyal to your friends and co-workers. We had another saying growing up that said “even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut!” When in doubt, shut the hell up.
Pay “tribute” to the boss. The idea of “kicking it upstairs” is another time-honored Mafia tradition. The mob is built on a strict hierarchy, and the boss always has to be given a piece of the action as “tribute.” This practice can and should be adapted by legit businesses, though not by kicking cash up to the boss, but credit. If you work for someone else, you could consider that your job is to make your boss look good. If you work for yourself, it’s still a smart idea to share credit and make others look good. Always pay tribute to your colleagues and mentors.
Rock the boat. My grandmother used to say “Non si fa nessunna frittata senza rompere le ouva,” which translates to “You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.” In my hometown, the wiseguys who moved up the ranks were the ones who made things happen. If you want to get ahead, you’ve got to stir things up. Make bold decisions. Take action. Break some eggs. (No, don’t break some legs, break some eggs!)
Reputation is everything. For better or worse, at the end of the day we are judged by our actions and deeds. A favorite proverb states that “a good name is better than riches.” As an entrepreneur, you’ve got to decide what you stand for, and let your actions speak for themselves. Guard your reputation like gold.
Run with the right crowd. Another expression I heard a lot as a kid was: “Dimmi con chi vai, e ti diro che fai,” which means “Tell me with whom you go and I’ll tell you what you are.” Growing up surrounded by reputed mobsters meant you had to choose your friends wisely – or you could easily end up on the wrong side of the law. Whether you’re a kid on the streets or an entrepreneur on the rise, this is sage advice. It’s said that you are the sum of the five people you spend the most time with, so choose your friends and colleagues carefully!

You certainly don’t have to live in the mob’s backyard to benefit from “wiseguy wisdom.” It’s more a matter of common sense combined with advice that’s been around for centuries. Just remember to leave out the rough stuff! ‘Capishe?

Written by Lou Bortone

Lou Bortone is an Online Branding Expert and Video Marketing Strategist who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners build breakthrough brands on the Internet, so they can have more visibility, credibility and profitability. Lou delivers innovative and creative online branding strategies, including video marketing, social media marketing and online video coaching and consulting.