How ‘The Godfather’ can give precious life & business Lessons

The Godfather is definitely one of the most interesting, exciting and entertaining movies of all time. It had won three Oscars and received high acclamation from all fronts of critics. This movie, if considered as a teaching platform, actually gives significant life lessons.

Here are five life & business lessons we learn from Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather":

1) Family is the most important thing in the world

Don Vito Corleone said “A man that doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man.”

Vito Corleone spent his life keeping it as the rule number one. It has given him success in his "professional" life and personal life. He had a loving wife and four children who respected and loved him throughout his life. Even his adopted son Tom Hagen and godson Johnny Fontane loved and respected him for the man he was. He ensured that his family members know what they mean to him.

2) Listen carefully

Second lesson is – lesson well. When Sollozzo came to Don Corleone with a business proposal, Sonny Corleone talked during the meeting. Vito said, "I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I spoil them, as you can see. They talk when they should listen". If we look back at the story we realize that this is the key moment that changed the whole story and created the war of the five families. So it is very important that you do not talk when you should listen.

3) Business and personal issues should not be mixed

One of the most famous quotes of The Godfather is, "It's not personal, and it’s strictly business". This quote by Michael Corleone has been used in hundreds of movies, books and millions of times in our everyday life. Vito Corleone always abided by this rule hence he had no hatred towards anyone and all his competitors had a lot of respect for him. The whole thing went haywire when Sollozzo took a simple business refusal very hard and made it personal by shooting Vito Corleone.

4) Plan ahead

Vito Corleone shrugged off his weakness and got off the bed to retake control after his first son Santino "Sonny" Corleone was killed. He called a meeting between the families instantly and offered a ceasefire. He vowed that he will not seek revenge while he was alive. This motion got him a tremendous amount of respect from everyone and finally stopped that long war.

But the brilliant Don did this for his benefits. He planned everything ahead. He needed Michael to be able to come back to USA and his safety to be assured. He knew that he does not have much time left so he trained Michael to take over once he was gone; passed on all his wisdom. He knew after his death a traitor will approach Michael for a meeting with the families. Using Vito Corleone's long foreseen plans and finished off all his enemies in one night and established his mark as the new "Godfather".

5) Have a strong network

Don Vito Corleone has helped people in every way he can. The only thing he asked for in return was that someday he might need some service from them and he expects them to deliver. He said - "Someday, and that day may never come, I'll call upon you to do a service for me". This policy of his created a very strong and loyal network. This is why he was one of the most influential men in New York and everyone respected him out of gratitude, not fear. The strong network helped him organize things when even he wanted.