‘A Bronx Tale’
A Blueprint to being a successful Manager?
Sometimes Life really does imitate Art. There are the strangest places you can find inspiration for being a successful leader. I know that I did not begin developing my leadership skills from the movie; ‘A Bronx Tale’, but I certainly merged my philosophy over time with the basis of the movie’s primary message.
A 30 year-old naive supervisor with a team of new hires is how I began my Management career. I made a ton of mistakes but knew that at the core I had the keys to motivate a team of varying personalities. In some ways I was ahead of my time and at odds with the old corporate demonstrative hammer of intimidating employees into being successful.
Managing from the outside in rather than my belief of managing from inside out.
KNOW THE PERSON THEN THEIR SKILL LEVEL
If you try to read a bunch of names on a computer screen and treat all of them on an analytic skill level you will not be successful. If you do not make a human connection with your employees then their production level will not change. Sure, you will always have overachievers who are born to work hard and exceed expectations. What about the borderline employee who has the ability to improve or possibly get worse? Are you utilizing the strong performers to assist you in motivating those around them?
Do your employees feel that you are alongside them for better or worse?
A ‘TALE’ TO TELL
The success of the movie ‘A Bronx Tale’ goes far beneath the pure entertainment value of a great story. Both visually and artistically with perfectly cast actors for the mob movie obsessed. The creation from a broke actor/doorman Chazz Palminteri who wrote the one man play on multiple legal pads and held off the immediate payout of selling the rights to Hollywood, only enriches the value and message of the movie.
“A Bronx Tale,” directed by Robert De Niro, is a famous coming-of-age picture set in the turbulent and racially volatile Bronx of the 1960s. The film revolves around a young kid named Calogero Anello, also known as “C,” who is pulled between two father figures: his biological father, Lorenzo Anello, and the local mafia boss, Sonny LoSpecchio. Sonny, a fascinating and prominent presence in C’s life, teaches priceless life lessons, such as his perspective on availability and the age-old debate of whether it is better to be loved or feared. The movie and Sonny’s philosophy dives into the ramifications into his personal and professional life, as well as the choices and consequences that underpin his beliefs. The backbone of the movie also behaves as a blueprint mirrored from author Machiavelli and his book “The Prince,” regarding strong leadership despite the criminal undertone.
I. Availability: The Essence of Influence
Sonny defines availability as more than just physical presence; it is the ability to provide direction, support, and mentorship when it is most needed. Sonny’s concept is based on the notion that being available to those in need is a key component of influence and leadership. Sonny gains confidence and respect by making himself available to Calogero and the community. This approach is consistent with Niccolo Machiavelli’s teachings, who famously stated in “The Prince” that a leader must be both feared and loved. Sonny’s availability is his method of being loved. Similar to parenting in which your children should love and respect you and be fearful of making a bad decision which could harm themselves or disgrace the family.
CORPORATE SUPERVISOR: Your availability to your employees and having them know that you are around for guidance is critical. If you are not around then the structure and the emergence of team members taking control in your absence can destroy the cohesiveness of your Team. You want your team to need you just enough but not too much to where you are doing their job for them. They need to feel supported.
Trust and Loyalty
Sonny’s willingness to make himself available to his neighbors builds trust and loyalty. He takes on the role of a father figure for Calogero, providing direction and wisdom that is frequently lacking in Calogero’s relationship with his biological father, Lorenzo. In doing so, Sonny gains C’s trust, and their friendship grows stronger throughout the film. Sonny’s availability reflects his character and is an essential component of the bond they develop. It spreads to the larger community as well, as Sonny’s reputation for being friendly and supportive earns him respect and loyalty.
CORPORATE SUPERVISOR: Going out to meet the community of your building and other departments allows a broader exposure for yourself and your Team. The more others see you and know the accomplishments of your employees the increased chance you and your team will stay relative and not become an enigma. A well-oiled machine is only good when everyone knows about it. Otherwise others believe your department runs on minimal effort.
Leadership Through Accessibility
Sonny’s availability extends to his leadership in the community. He is not only a mafia boss; he is also a community leader who deals with neighborhood concerns and disagreements. His capacity to manage problems and propose solutions demonstrates his leadership effectiveness. People are drawn to him not only out of fear, but also because he represents someone who can provide direction, solve issues, and keep order. Sonny’s leadership is thus founded on availability and respect, rather than outright intimidation.
II. Loved vs. Feared: The Age-Old Dilemma
Sonny’s attitude is based on the continuous debate over whether it is better to be loved or feared as a leader. He navigates this quandary by acknowledging the worth of both traits and attempting to establish a balance that serves his objectives. The issue of love vs terror in leadership is sometimes credited to Machiavelli, whose advice in “The Prince” has been a source of contention for centuries. Sonny, on the other hand, prefers to be adored because he believes that love and respect can have a longer lasting impact than pure fear.
A. Machiavellian Influence: The Balance of Love and Fear
Machiavelli argues in “The Prince,” “It is much safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both.” Fear, according to Machiavelli, is a more reliable form of control than love, which can be fickle and readily replaced by hatred. Sonny, on the other hand, recognizes the value of love and respect, especially in a society where he want to maintain stability. He can more effectively influence those around him if he is loved. He does not strive to dominate solely via fear; rather, he seeks a balance that will allow him to maintain authority without resorting to severe tactics.
CORPORATE SUPERVISOR: *Fear is not allowed in any corporate situation however, some fear goes unreported. To me, fear doesn’t last long and employees will quit for this reason. Overly loved is not great either as human nature sometimes takes advantage of kindness. A delicate balance is best. You need to be respected above love and fear.
Authentic Leadership
Sonny’s leadership style is distinguished by its sincerity. He is genuine and does not put on a show to gain recognition. Because of his honesty, he is approachable and relatable, which leads to deeper ties with people he leads and guides. Authenticity is a hallmark of effective leadership in today’s world because it develops trust and openness among team members, whether in a corporate boardroom or a community organization.
Sonny’s ability to walk the fine line between love and fear shows a high level of emotional intelligence. He understands others’ feelings and motivations, allowing him to make decisions that are in line with their wants and desires. Emotional intelligence is an important characteristic for leaders because it allows them to connect with their teams on a deeper level and make judgments that are supported by the group.
CORPORATE SUPERVISOR: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Consistency. If something is wrong address it immediately.
Mentorship and Guidance
Sonny’s role as Calogero’s mentor shows the value of mentorship in personal and professional development. He teaches C essential life lessons and instills in him a sense of responsibility. Mentorship is still a significant instrument for personal development and job advancement in the modern world. Effective mentors guide, assist, and advise their mentees, promoting their growth and success. Sonny’s ability to change his leadership style depending on the scenario is an important lesson for today’s leaders. Leaders must be adaptable in their approach, acknowledging that different situations may necessitate varying degrees of love or *fear (respect). Adapting leadership styles to the situation is essential for effective leadership and problem-solving.Sonny’s balance theory extends to many facets of life and leadership. Long-term success requires striking a balance between love and fear (respect), sincerity and practicality, and personal and professional life. Individuals who can balance these qualities are better able to make informed judgments, develop lasting relationships, and preserve their integrity under any circumstances.
CORPORATE SUPERVISOR: You need to treat everyone according to their skill level and experience. Therefore, your team members will be treated differently but fairly.
Conclusion
Leadership philosophy of availability and the balance of love and fear presents a rich variety of teachings that extend far beyond the framework of “A Bronx Tale.” The emphasis on availability, real leadership, emotional intelligence, mentorship, and flexibility serves as a road map for personal and professional success.
When you view the sun you never look directly at it but it is in full view. Keep a keen sense of what your team is doing and of course how they are performing without micromanaging. I don’t need to stand over the shoulder of every employee to know how they are performing and if they are taking advantage. Your presence and availability is paramount. Recognizing excellence and guidance to those in need will keep your team loyal and happy.
