On his 93rd birthday, here are 5 leadership lessons from Godfather's 'Don Corleone'

The Godfather is not just an entertaining gangster saga. It is also a story about power, family, and capitalism. It’s infact a guide to life, offering endless lessons on how to handle every situation you may encounter. Here are some words spoken in the film, which can go a long way in making a difference in your personal lives:

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer

If you’re acutely familiar with the negative things in your life, you’ll be able to anticipate them and plan accordingly. The devil is always in the details. Always keep a watchful eye on your enemies and play life’s “game of chess” with precision, dedication, and tact. Always hold your ground and never burn bridges, no matter how much you might dislike someone.

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Don't let anyone outside family know what you are thinking

Even though Vito Corleone refused Solozzo the proposal of investing in narcotics business, his son Sonny who disapproved of his father's decision, ended up showing his frustration in front of Solozzo. Sollozzo saw a weakness in the Corleone family and saw that he and his father were divided on the issue of narcotics. He decided to exploit that weakness.

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So, never frivolously share your personal plans or information with anyone you don’t fully trust. It may come back as a dissapointment to you.

Make an offer noone can refuse

Don Vito Corleone was visited by his godson, the famous singer Johnny Fontane. He asked for Vito's help to secure a film role that would boost his fading career. The head of the film studio, had previously refused to give Fontane the part, but Don Corleone told Johnny - "Act like a man. I'll make him an offer he can't refuse."

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Leaders negotiate from strength. They make their strongest and best offer first with the assumption that the other party will take it because it's that good. Time is money in negotiating. Great leaders are good at getting what they want by stepping into the shoes of the other party to determine what they will be looking for, and then they formulate the offer around that.

A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man

Vito asking his son Michael if gets enough time with his family, showed that family was always above all for this gangster, and he wanted the same for his son too.

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It’s your duty to be there for your family, regardless of the circumstances. This will help protect them while you're alive, and leave a meaningful legacy after you’re gone.

Establish friendships out of respect, business, and trust

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Don Corleone said - “Friendship is everything. Friendship is more than talent. It is more than the government. It is almost the equal of family.” Family you cannot chose, but friends you can. Consider the benefits that a certain friendship can bring.