In business, just like in movies, every personality plays a pivotal role. From the visionary leader to the loyal executor, each personality type contributes uniquely to the success of a team or an organization. To make this relatable, let’s look at how The Godfather, one of the most iconic movies ever made, mirrors the dynamics of leadership, strategy, and operational efficiency in business—highlighted by real-life examples from the corporate world.
The Power of Diverse Personalities
Imagine a business built entirely of visionaries with no one to handle execution or balance the emotional aspects of teamwork. It wouldn’t survive long. The same holds true in The Godfather. Each character contributes uniquely, and their personalities highlight their importance. Here’s what we can learn, supported by stories of iconic leaders:
Visionary Leaders: The Strategic Minds
Vito Corleone (INFJ): Example: Reed Hastings (Netflix) Hastings has a visionary approach to changing how the world consumes entertainment. His emphasis on culture and employee freedom at Netflix, as discussed in No Rules Rules, highlights his strategic foresight and people-centered leadership.
Michael Corleone (INTJ): Example: Jeff Bezos (Amazon) Bezos exemplifies the master strategist. In The Everything Store, Bezos’s relentless focus on long-term goals, such as reinvesting profits into infrastructure and logistics, mirrors Michael’s cold, calculated approach to consolidating power.
Hyman Roth (ENTJ): Example: Steve Jobs Jobs paired visionary thinking with relentless execution. His ability to identify opportunities, demand excellence, and lead Apple to industry dominance embodies ENTJ traits of ambition and determination. Jobs displayed multiple personality traits throughout his life, evolving into various roles reminiscent of The Godfather characters. His ruthlessness aligns closely with Hyman Roth.
The Operational Backbone: Executors and Planners
Tom Hagen (ISTJ): Example: Tim Cook (Apple) Highlighted in Becoming Steve Jobs, Cook ensured Apple’s seamless operations by focusing on supply chain efficiency. His reliability and methodical approach mirror Tom’s role as the family’s stabilizing force.
Clemenza (ENFJ): Example: Sheryl Sandberg (Meta) In Lean In, Sandberg describes how fostering relationships and inspiring loyalty helped her lead teams. Like Clemenza, her charisma and mentorship made her indispensable.
Salvatore Tessio (INTP): Example: Bill Gates Gates’s early focus on software development and his deep interest in technology reflect INTP traits. His work at Microsoft and philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation demonstrate a love for solving complex challenges.
Emotional Anchors: The Heart of the Organization
Mama Corleone (ISFJ): Example: Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway) Buffett’s value-driven investment philosophy and long-term approach embody ISFJ traits. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” he emphasizes ethical business practices and trust.
Kay Adams (ESFJ): Example: Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo) In My Life in Full, Nooyi discusses how balancing ethics and business success guided her. Like Kay, she strove for harmony while navigating challenging corporate realities.
Connie Corleone (ENFP): Example: Oprah Winfrey Oprah places significant value on human connections and building meaningful relationships, just as Connie prioritizes family bonds, even in the face of adversity. Oprah channels her ENFP traits into a global platform of empowerment and leadership, while Connie’s story revolves around personal struggles and family loyalty within a constrained, patriarchal environment.
Action-Oriented Doers: Bold and Decisive
Sonny Corleone (ESFP): Example: Donald Trump Sonny and Trump share impulsive risk-taking traits, offering lessons about the pitfalls and successes of emotionally driven leadership.
Luca Brasi (ISTP): Example: Elon Musk Musk’s hands-on problem-solving and practical execution, described in Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future, echo Luca’s understated yet effective presence.
Moe Greene (ESTP): Example: Richard Branson Branson’s adventurous spirit and risk-taking align with ESTP traits. However, figures like Vijay Mallya illustrate the dangers of unchecked boldness.
- Carlo Rizzi: Uses his connection to the Corleone family to advance his personal interests, seeking status and power despite his incompetence. He demonstrates a desire to control their environment and others, often through manipulation or coercion.
- Example: Harvey Weinstein – Harvey Weinstein: Embodies the organizational and strategic traits of an ESTJ, though used destructively to maintain his influence. While Carlo Rizzi and Harvey Weinstein exhibit certain ESTJ traits, Weinstein aligns more closely with the efficiency, decisiveness, and control-oriented aspects of the type. Carlo, in contrast, represents a less-developed and emotionally volatile version of an ESTJ, prioritizing personal gain without the structure or foresight that defines a typical “Executive.”
Complex and Symbolic Figures: Lessons in Vulnerability and Beauty
Fredo Corleone (INFP): Example: Ratan Tata (Tata Group) Tata’s humility and focus on ethics exemplify INFP traits. However, Fredo’s story highlights the importance of support within organizations.
Apollonia Vitelli (ISFP): Example: Coco Chanel Chanel’s focus on timeless designs and independence mirrors the ISFP personality, though her proactive approach contrasts Apollonia’s reactive role.
Johnny Fontane (ENTP): Example: Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha) Kamath disrupted traditional stockbroking in India with bold, innovative ideas, showcasing ENTP entrepreneurial spirit.
What This Means for Your Team
Every personality in your team serves a purpose. The visionary sets the strategy, but without the executor, nothing gets done. The emotional anchor maintains harmony, while the bold risk-taker seizes opportunities others might overlook.
Ask Yourself:
- Who is your Vito Corleone, balancing vision and empathy?
- Who is your Tom Hagen, ensuring seamless execution?
- Who is your Sonny Corleone, ready to act decisively?
- Who is your Kay Adams, anchoring the team emotionally?
Conclusion: The Symphony of Diversity
Business is like a symphony, and each personality is a note. Together, they create harmony, success, and impact. By understanding and valuing diverse personalities in your team, you ensure no strength is overlooked and no role undervalued.
So, the next time you’re building a team or tackling a business challenge, channel The Godfather: value every personality and recognize their indispensable contributions to the bigger picture.
