A Bronx Tale” is not only a classic coming-of-age film but also a treasure trove of valuable business lessons. Set in the turbulent 1960s Bronx, the film revolves around the young Calogero Anello, who is torn between the guidance of his working-class father and the allure of a local mafia boss. This timeless tale imparts several crucial business lessons, such as the significance of loyalty and trust in building lasting relationships, the impact of ethical decision-making on long-term success, and the importance of adapting to changing circumstances in entrepreneurship. Through its gripping narrative, “A Bronx Tale” provides insights into the complex world of business and leaves audiences with thought-provoking lessons that can be applied to various aspects of professional life.
The first lesson I always am drawn to is the lesson of the Twenty Dollars: Calogero is seen chasing down a “friend” who owes him $20.00. Sonny, the captain of the local crew calls him over and passes on some awesome wisdom. Namely the “time value of money” and Practical Decision Making.
I love the scene because I see people argue in deals of small amounts of money. They banter about “principle”. The genius of the advice here is that a) “C” learned a valuable lesson on who to lend money to b) the cost of $20 removed a person of poor character from his life for a nominal amount c) and that sometimes mistakes can be turned into learning events and benefits.
The scene cascades on into a lesson on Machiavelli and its application on the street. The principal of “availability” and the question of being loved or feared is weighed.
On availability, Sonny points out that leaders need to be present and on the street so they can react and resolve issues quickly because “trouble is like cancer and it needs to be cut out”. On leadership, Sonny prefers to be both loved and feared. When pushed to a choice he chooses fear but to a degree of not to be hated. This wise distinction is hard to recognize as good as it flows from a gangster, but any soldier knows that the balance of love and fear of being held accountable is an effective leadership model.
A bronx tale is filled with tons of great lessons and I highly encourage you grab a glass of wine, a bowl of pasta and partake of one of the great ones.
For more on business and the buying and selling of business contact Tampa Business Broker Michael Shea of Transworld Business Advisors at 321-287-0349