Once in awhile, a business book comes from an unlikely source and makes a big impact. I have a feeling that this is one such book.
If your very life depended on your business decisions, would you make different decisions than you do? If your subordinates might choose to eliminate you, not only professionally but completely, would you treat them differently? These are some of the questions that employees of one of America’s oldest businesses have to deal with every day. I’m talking of course, about the Mafia – La Cosa Nostra, the Outfit, the Syndicate, whatever you want to call it, it’s the confederation of primarily Italian organized crime families. It was also Louis Ferrante’s employer for a number of years. After going to prison, Ferrante chose to exit the Mafia, and enter the world of “legitimate” business.
The Mafia has fascinated America for decades and has had hundreds of books written about it. However, not one of those books has ever focused on the lessons that the Mafia can teach normal businessmen, until now. Ferrante’s “Mob Rules – What the Mafia Can Teach the Legitimate Businessman” is the first book to apply Mafia management practices to the challenges that businessmen and women face every day – and it’s an extremely effective one.
Behind the violence and crime, the Mafia has been home to numerous incredibly effective businessmen and managers of people, and Ferrante’s time with the organization exposed him to their knowledge and techniques, which he dissects in 88 short chapters. The book is written in small bites with powerful take-aways, and is separated into lessons at three levels: Soldier (employee), Capo (middle management), and Don (boss). At each level there are lessons which can help you maximize your role, most of which are illustrated by Mob stories that run the gamut from the frightening to the hilarious. It’s also very much an in-your-face book with some rough language; those with tender ears and eyes might not apply. The lessons are hard, the examples punchy, and the apologies few – but while Ferrante might ruffle some feathers, he’s exposing you to ways to make money and better your career.
The best bank to put your faith in? The Bank of Favors, according to Ferrante. The power of networking comes through hard and often. History purists might cringe at the comparisons between the leadership styles of George Washington and “Lucky” Luciano – but by the end of the chapter, they’ll find themselves wondering, as Ferrante does, if Luciano studied Washington and sought to emulate his style. The material isn’t just about the Mafia, either; Ferrante draws inspiration from sources as diverse as the ancient Greeks and Romans.
The section for employees provides a lot of great advice about actually working for a living, particularly in our “work as self esteem therapy” world. The middle management chapters show that the Mafia has just as much corporate politics as any Fortune 500 company, and how to surf those waters. The “Boss” section has great lessons for leaders both in assertiveness and humility. And there are numerous great examples for those who want to learn how to make great, profitable deals that keep all parties happy.
Meyer Lansky once said of the Mafia, “We’re bigger than U.S. Steel.” They didn’t get that way by being dummies, and Lansky was perhaps the greatest businessman of all. This book allows you to learn from the experiences of Lansky, Luciano, Gambino, Capone, and others – and apply those lessons to careers that carry far less personal risk.
Overall, this is definitely a Recommended Read. The short chapters and the liberal use of anecdotes make it an easy read; the lessons taught and the implications for your career make it impactful. Behind the Mob cover is one very serious and effective business book.
