This week we mark the untimely passing of actor James Gandolfini, the talented actor best known for his portrayal of mob boss leader Tony Soprano on the HBO hit series The Sopranos. For those of us who watched regularly, the Sopranos became a Sunday night guilty pleasure filled with F-bombs and Gabagool. As the show’s most compelling character, James Gandolfini created a larger than life persona that can offer us some genuine leadership lessons. What can we learn from the greatest anti-hero since Hannibal Lector? Certainly not everything, but leave the illegal activities out of it and Tony Soprano had some admirable qualities that are worth noting.
Relationships & Empathy
Tony had empathy meaning he had the capacity to recognize the needs and feelings of others and use this information for successful negotiating. Tony had mutually accountable relationships with his team. He built trust by honoring his word and expected the same from those working under him. He had a real handle on how to balance respect and boundaries while allowing for honest feedback.
Problem-Solving & Risk Taking
Tony’s relationships with his people helped him problem solve because his team trusted him (and feared him too) to help resolve problems they could not. Tony also understood the need to diversify his business and selectively take risks.
Decisiveness
Tony showed real decisiveness in a variety of situations. For example, Tony dealt with problem associates with clear, decisive action. Warnings were given where appropriate but if someone was a lost cause, he didn’t waffle. Now of course, I’m not suggesting anyone “whack” a problem employee but how many teams have become unstable and dissatisfied because of one person?
The Sit Down
Tony was the king of meetings and the more important the meeting, the more likely it took place over a meal. Tony knew that people bond over food and that breaking bread can fuel an atmosphere of relaxed problem-solving among employees, associates and even rivals.
Top Down Accountability
Tony offered real accountability even unlike most leaders, really putting his life on the line. The lesson leaders can take from Tony Soprano is that you are, at the end of the day, 100% responsible for the actions of your people. Customers don’t want to hear that it was your employees’ fault, they want the problem fixed. Tony demanded accountability from his people and he usually got it because he was accountable in turn.
I know many of us will miss James Gandolfini and mourn the passing of an actor cut down in his prime but his legacy and body of work remains.
Leave a Reply