In business, the entrepreneur or CEO at the top needs a unique set of skills to do their job perfectly. In my experience, what makes a leader great comes down to three things: having an inspiring vision for the future that others can relate to; knowing how to find the right people for the roles needed to achieve this vision and coaching them in that direction; and maintaining a relentless focus on what clients want and need, while executing the business to deliver it.
At Alex van Groningen, I learned from two very effective leaders – Alex and Melle – how this is done. During my own brief period as a manager, I discovered I’m a different type of leader. Not the centerpiece, but more of a behind-the-scenes guy: strategy, advice, and flawless execution of my own role.
In the leader’s seat, you must be very good at conflict resolution. I am not good at that. Silvio Dante, Tony Soprano’s number two (who spoke the quote above), noticed how difficult this is when he briefly took the top spot while Tony was incapacitated.
I can relate. I’m not good at dealing with unhappy people, nor does it energize me to constantly engage with others about their work and inspire them to do better. I much prefer to focus on my own job and deliver the best possible performance I can. In other words, I’m better at being number two. And I relate more to the consiglieri characters in movies.
Their bosses were often the big egos – think Michael Corleone, John Gotti, or Tony Soprano. They accomplished a lot, that’s for sure. But more than once, their number twos did things they couldn’t. A good number two understands the strategy like no other and often has an even better sense of the risks that might disrupt the strategic agenda. Like Tom Reagan in Miller’s Crossing realized that Leo shouldn’t protect Bernie Bernbaum because it would hurt their business.
Also, the consiglieri aren’t afraid to take decisive action when needed. Like when Silvio Dante whacked Burt Gervasi on his own initiative after discovering Burt was talking to their enemies in New York. In short, I relate more to number twos than to the boss in the top seat.
What about you – are you a top leader or more like a number two like me?
To give you a better sense of what makes a good second-in-command, here’s my Top 5 Consiglieri in Movies:
5. Genco Abbandando, The Godfather Part II
Genco Abbandando is a significant character in ‘The Godfather’ novel, though he hardly appears in the movies. In The Godfather Part II, he appears only in Vito’s 1920s flashback storyline, portrayed by Frank Sivero as a young man. Genco is shown as Vito’s childhood friend and ally in New York’s Little Italy, working at his father’s grocery store. Their early friendship is depicted, but he doesn’t actively advise Vito on-screen. Still, since he’s described as a legendary consigliere in the novel, I include him here.
4. Joe Armone, Gotti
In the movie Gotti, a realistic portrayal of John Gotti’s rise within the Gambino Family, Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior in The Sopranos and Johnny Ola in The Godfather Part II) plays Joe Armone – consigliere first to Carlo Gambino and then to Paul Castellano, who was allowed to retire and start a coffee shop. There, he still gave advice free of charge. Gotti comes to see him, and Joe tells him the difficult truth: John broke the rules by whacking a boss without the commission’s approval. And now he’s breaking the oldest rule of Cosa Nostra: he’s appearing in the media. A mob boss doesn’t belong on the cover of Time Magazine, capeesh? But John Gotti, you know: you can’t tell him anything. He won’t listen to Joe’s sound advice and ends up in jail for life.
3. Tom Hagen, The Godfather
Tom Hagen served no fewer than three Corleones as consigliere: first Vito, then Sonny, and finally Michael. What makes him so effective is his supreme knowledge of law and business, which enables him to advise the Don on a wide range of affairs. The reason I rank him below numbers 1 and 2 is that Tom isn’t a very good wartime consigliere. He didn’t see through Barzini’s manipulations and the trap that eventually got Sonny killed. Still, he’s a very good guy to have in your corner.
2. Tom Reagan, Miller’s Crossing
While writing this blog, this is the first time I noticed his name rhymes with Tom Hagen. Funny, because Miller’s Crossing also starts with a Godfather-esque scene in the big boss’s office with his counselor Tom close behind him – very similar to the opening of the first Godfather film. So why is Tom Reagan a good consigliere despite acting against his boss’s will? Because of his wits, his sharp strategic mind, and his ability to see three steps ahead on the chessboard. It’s Tom who ultimately wins the gang war for his boss Leo. What more proof do you need of his skills?
1. Silvio Dante, The Sopranos
Yes, Silvio Dante is the ultimate consigliere. Extremely loyal and devoted to the Family. In The Sopranos, he constantly works on the guys, squashing dissent among the ranks and ensuring that Tony’s decisions are followed through to a T. He’s also not afraid to get his hands dirty when needed – like personally taking care of a number of rats for the crew (Jimmie Altieri and Adriana). In the final episode, when he’s in a coma, even the cold Tony seems to realize how good a friend and loyal associate Silvio has been.
READ ALSO: 10 Management Lessons From Highly Successful Gangsters
FRAGMENTEN UIT HET SCHEMERLAND 