Perhaps you will agree that we are all proud of our heritage. It is with this in mind, that I say with pride, I am an Italian-American – with a little bit of Irish, to assist  me with my temperament.

With this background, I am free to celebrate both St. Anthony’s Day and St Patrick’s Day. Growing up I was told: never forget your heritage where you come from (or I’ll slap you upside the head). My father, aunts and uncle came to America to escape Mussolini and for a better life for the “family.” Please understand the concept of “family” takes on a different perspective when you are Italian. It is a way of life. When the “family” invites you to dinner, you better show up or else!

To quote Vito Corleone in “The Godfather”: “A man, who does not spend time with his family, is no man!”

With this backdrop, you will appreciate that I am an avid fan of the Godfather movies and have watched them hundreds of times. After all, they are about family and leadership. Let me be clear, I do not like crime and hurting others, but clearly Vito Corleone had focus and believed in respect.

The Godfather seeks input from many sources. Tom Hagen, the lawyer, Sonny and Michael, his son. He is a fact-driven leader, and sees the big picture. Consider the lesson here — who are your truth tellers and advisers? Do you have confidence in them? Do they have confidence in you? Let me stress, I do not believe in crime, however the Godfather indeed made difficult decisions and had clear objectives.

Corleone led various personalities and found ways to keep them on point. That is the essence of accountability! Of course, the lack of performance resulted in consequences. There was no doubt that the Godfather played to win. All leaders do. They are accountable to themselves, employees and stakeholders.

The Godfather kept a watchful eye on his competition, and sought to take advantage of their weaknesses. Leaders need to step up and address low-performing employees and not put the success of the company in jeopardy. All employees should be treated fairly and given the opportunity to succeed. As in “The Godfather,” difficult decisions must be made with respect and compassion.

Corleone was cool under pressure, and his determination resulted in decisions that were unemotional. He granted favors, in order to build supportive relationships. He nurtured relationships of influence, which all leaders and organizations should strive to build mutually beneficial relationships with customers. Listen to the voice of the customer and the voice of the employee! The value the Godfather lived for – “The Family” — always came first.

Does the customer really come first in your organization? If it does not, what message does it convey to employees?

Values are the foundation that holds up the organization 24/7, in good times and in bad.

“It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.”- Michael Corleone

Business and values are very personal. It affects supply chain of the customer and the employees. Unwavering leadership is anchored by:

I am in no way endorsing the crime and violence of “The Godfather” movies. Rather, I view them as a study in situational leadership. Great intellects have for millennia studied the human condition and human differences. Perhaps we can all gain insights from “The Godfather” regarding the challenges of leadership. Lead with positive persuasion! And respect each person we meet each day.