Even though the Mafia is known for all manner of horrible crimes, they live by a code from which we could all learn. Here are a few lessons that will help in your everyday pursuit of success.
Loyalty
One of the hallmarks of La Cosa Nostra is their intense loyalty. Members typically will go to their death before they betray the brotherhood. I am not advocating dying for your cause, but you should stay loyal to your endeavors. The saying “Dance with the one who brought you” comes to mind. If you are working for a company, you should be genuinely interested in seeing that company advance, and it should show. It is painfully obvious when someone is only out for themselves, and not looking out for the good of the organization. Don’t be that person, or you might be the first to get whacked during the layoffs!
Discipline
The people in the mob, the successful ones anyway, are fiercely disciplined. Even during this era of technology, most orders are given only verbally as to not leave a trail for the authorities to follow. Discipline is a necessity for success. You have to be disciplined in order to do the things that other people are unwilling to do. This is what makes you a success. It takes discipline to get up and exercise each day; it takes discipline to make that one more call after the last hundred ‘no’s’. Remember, it isn’t the number of times you get knocked down that matters, it is having the discipline to keep getting back up!
Integrity
This may seem strange saying that integrity exists within organized crime, but it does! The definition of integrity is the “Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.” While the Mafia might have some skewed morals and ethics, they most definitely adhere to them steadfastly. This is where you should be unwavering. A person should never compromise their integrity for success; it is just not worth it. If someone asks you to do something that goes against your core morals and ethics, just say no. The repercussions for saying no will be nowhere near as bad as having to live with the decision later. Richard Buckminster Fuller once said, “Integrity is the essence of everything successful.” Make this your mantra.
The American Mafia is run with the precision of a Fortune 500 company. This is why it has taken so long for law enforcement to crack its inner circle. While their methods and means are criminal, their organization holds some key elements that make traditional companies successful in their respective fields. So take these suggestions to heart, and live a life of success!
Image: Boaz Yiftach / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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