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The 20 Best Godfather Quotes That Apply to Business

Godfather

'The Godfather' was originally a book written by Mario Puzo that was released in 1969. The following year, it was adapted into a film with Puzo co-writing the screenplay with Francis Coppola, who directed the film. Two of the stars of the ensemble cast were Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. Following the success of this crime movie came the release of two sequels. 'The Godfather Part II' was released in 1974, followed by 'The Godfather Part III' in 1990. As one of the film's main themes was the business of the mafia, it is hardly surprising that there are quotes that apply to business from both the book and the films. Here are the 20 best Godfather quotes that apply to business.

20. On Identifying Your Weaknesses

"I have no such powers. If I did, I would be more merciful than God, believe me."

Having weaknesses is natural, as all humans have both strengths and weaknesses. Identifying your areas of weakness is vital for success. If you want to become successful, you should conduct a self-analysis. Once you have identified your weaknesses, you should think about how you can improve in these areas. Sometimes, an area of weakness is unresolvable. In these cases, you should try to have someone on your team who has strengths in these areas to compensate.

19. On Overcoming Challenges

"Forgive. Forget. Life is full of misfortunes."

According to Good Reads, this is one of the best Godfather quotes that apply to business. It is rare for someone to enjoy a smooth ride in their business from start to finish, as unexpected challenges can arise at any point. When you face a challenge, work out the solution, learn from the mistake, and then move on. Do not waste time going back over what happened; focus on the future and avoiding making the same mistakes again.

18. On Having Self-Belief

"If I can believe in myself that much, nothing else matters."

People in business often doubt themselves and their abilities. However, you must have self-belief. Having self-belief will keep you motivated, and it will also impact on the belief that others have in you.

17. On Taking Action

"There are things that have to be done, and you just do them."

On some occasions, you will have tasks to complete that are difficult or unpleasant, and this may put you off doing things. However, it is important to complete all necessary tasks regardless of whether they are something that you want to do or not. Try not to put things off; if something needs doing, then just get on with it.

16. On Reaching Your Destiny

"Many young men started down a false path to their true destiny. Time and fortune usually set them aright."

Making sure you fulfill your potential and reach your destiny is your responsibility. Not everyone starts on the right path in life that will lead them to success. It does not mean that you are stuck on a path that is unfulfilling for the rest of your life. If you want to change your life and make things better, you can choose a different path and take steps to achieve greater things.

15. On Using the Right Resources and Strategies

"The lawyer with the briefcase can steal more money than the man with the gun."

There is more than one way of doing most things in business, so you must choose the right resources and strategies to achieve the best outcomes. Spend time planning every task or project to ensure that you use the most useful resources you have available and implement the right strategies to achieve success.

14. On Finding Solutions for Problems

"And as I am a reasonable man, I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to find a peaceful solution to these problems."

This Godfather quote is listed on Wikiquote. It is about finding solutions to problems. You will face many problems in your business, and some of these you will find it easier to resolve than others. It is important to resolve issues as soon as possible to limit the negative impact it has on your business. You may need to think outside the box or ask other people to find the best solution for a specific problem.

13. On Building a Good Team

"I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away."

Having a good team behind you is a key element of success in any business. When choosing people to work in your team, it is vital that they have skills or knowledge that will contribute something different to other members of your team. The types of people who will create a great team will vary from one industry to the next. You may want to combine people with lots of experience, with others who have less experience but offer enthusiasm and fresh ideas. It is also a good idea to have people in your team that have strengths in your areas of weakness. Another point to consider when hiring people is how they will work with others in your team. It is crucial that everyone can work together towards shared goals.

12. On Putting in the Effort

"You have to take time and trouble."

Although there are some people who become a success without putting in the time and effort, these people are few and far between. In most cases, success is impossible unless you are willing to put in a lot of hard work. When you start out on your business journey, prepare yourself to devote a lot of time to your business endeavors, and to give it everything you have got.

11. On Using Your Strengths to Your Advantage

"I want you to use all your powers and all your skills."

Each person has strengths in different areas. Your personality traits, life experiences, qualifications, personal interests, and skills are all potential areas of strength. Take the time to identify your areas of strength, and then make sure you use them to your advantage to increase your chances of business success.

10. On Building a Reputation

"You're Getting a Great Reputation, Sonny! I hope you're enjoying it!"

Listed on Rotten Tomatoes, this Godfather quote is about the importance of our reputation. Your personal and professional reputation can make a significant difference in whether your business becomes successful. It is your responsibility to present yourself and your business in such a way that you begin to build a good reputation and make sure your products or services are up to scratch.

9. On Working Hard for Success

"You know who I am? I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones working hard while you were going out with cheerleaders!"

In most instances, there is a direct correlation with the amount of work you are willing to put into something and the success you will achieve. If you are not willing to work hard, then your chances of success are limited. On the other hand, a willingness to work hard will mean you can reap the rewards.

8. On Time Management

"Well… this wasn't enough time, Michael. Wasn't enough time…"

Time is one of your best resources, but it is also one of the most limited. Running out of time or struggling to meet deadlines is a common problem for many people in business. For this reason, good time management is essential to every businessperson. Plan how you will use your time wisely so that every minute counts, and you work effectively. If time remains an issue, you may need to delegate some tasks, which may mean hiring more people.

7. On Appealing to Your Target Market

"You see, Johnny, we feel that entertainment is going to be a big factor in drawing gamblers into the casinos."

In this quote from The Godfather, finding ways to attract customers for the casinos is discussed with the suggestion of adding entertainment to give the venues more appeal. You can apply the same principles to make sure your products or services appeal to your target market. You cannot become successful in business if you do not have a product or service that consumers find appealing. If your sales take a dip, then you may have to find innovative ways of attracting new custom.

6. On Keeping the Overheads Down

"I don't like violence, Tom. I'm a businessman. Blood is a big expense."

Finance is a vital aspect of any business, so you should always keep an eye on the finances. To become profitable, you need your income as high as possible and keep your expenditure a minimum. Avoid any large and unnecessary expenses, and track even the most minor costs to avoid getting into a bad financial situation.

5. On Getting the Work-Life Balance Right

"We don't discuss business at the table."

This Godfather Quote is listed by Brostrick. It is about how the mafia families don't discuss business over the dinner table as they keep their work and family life separate. People in business often believe that they should focus themselves entirely on work and devote all their time to their business. However, this can lead to burning out, or you might lose focus and start making mistakes. It is essential that you have time away from work to relax, spend time with your family, or to do activities that you enjoy. Taking time out will help you to focus better in your working hours.

4. On Not Letting Your Personal Life Influence Your Business

"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."

While it is important to get a good work-life balance, you should not allow your personal life to interfere with your business. Keep your personal relationships separate and try not to involve your friends or family in your business matters. This can help you to avoid complications overlapping your personal and professional life.

3. On Personal Development

"Great men are not born great; they grow great."

When you start out in business and look at others who are successful, it can seem difficult to believe that you will ever achieve the same level of success as them. Just because they are successful now, it does not mean that they have always been successful. Like you, they had to start at the beginning and put in the work to gradually make their way to success. You can also become successful if you have the right ideas, passion for your work, and you are willing to put in the effort. It can take time, but every step you take is progress in the right direction.

2. On Accepting Constructive Criticism

"I respect those who tell me the truth, no matter how hard it."

If people are criticizing you out of jealousy, then you should ignore these people. On the other hand, if the criticism comes from someone who knows the industry, then it is worth listening to what they will say as it can help you to improve. Similarly, you should take notice of any complaints and criticism from customers so that you can make the necessary improvements to your products or services to avoid complaints in the future.

On Learning from Experience

"I have learned more in the streets than in any classroom."

According to Scroll Doll, this is one of the best Godfather quotes that apply to business. It is all about the power of learning from experience and not just from in the classroom. There is a lot you can learn from books and from spending time at educational establishments, but you will not learn everything you need to know about running a business in this way. There are some elements of running a company that you can only learn from experience, and this includes learning from the mistakes you make along the way.

Dana Hanson

Written by Dana Hanson

Dana has extensive professional writing experience including technical and report writing, informational articles, persuasive articles, contrast and comparison, grant applications, and advertisement. She also enjoys creative writing, content writing on nearly any topic (particularly business and lifestyle), because as a lifelong learner, she loves to do research and possess a high skill level in this area. Her academic degrees include AA social Sci/BA English/MEd Adult Ed & Community & Human Resource Development and ABD in PhD studies in Indust & Org Psychology.

Read more posts by Dana Hanson

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