The Mafia Manager : A Guide to the Corporate Machiavelli

by V.

Expanded from Playboy magazine's "Axioms of the Mafia Manager"

The world's oldest and best-organized conglomerate now reveals management techniques everyone can use. Unlike other guides to business, The Mafia Manager shuns theoretical verbiage to present the philosophy of leadership that founded and captained "The Silent Empire" through centuries of expansion and success. Some sample pearls of

-"Be sure you understand what your boss has ordered before you act on his command. What if you whack the wrong guy, or bomb the wrong joint... Learn the art of asking questions."

-"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."

-"Don't become involved in any office political battle without first asking yourself, 'What's in it for me?' and then 'What's in it for them?'"

-"If you must lie, be brief."

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Leadership, Self Help, Psychology, Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Rui Carmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when my friend Nuno Duarte gifted me a copy and said "this is the most important book you'll ever read".

Considering that he'd just finished his MBA at the time and that he's now head of LATAM for a major corp, I'd say he was right.

[Alexey Shpakov · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book contains a list of harsh yet practical approaches to being a stern corporate ruler.
Machiavelli is mentioned in the title for a reason - the book tries to project mafia code and customs on corporate world.
Although I personally detest that approach, I could not but agree with it's efficiency.
There is no groundings or story lines inside - just plain statements. Harsh, sharp and to the point. It will be a nice table book if you think of raising a corporate godfather within you.

[Lori Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

An optional-read book on office politics which will happen to you and around you whether you participate in politics or not.

[Emmanuel Ayeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read with all forms of street-corporate sense, direct and all that needs be applied or filtered with utmost caution.

[Odo Simon Agbo]

The book touches on sensitive issues that have to do with human relaionships and business relationship. Overall, the book presents workable principles for success in all human endeavors especially in Business and Management.

[Andrey Nikishaev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Отличная книга. Краткая и по теме. Никаких сюсюканий и прочего - голые факты.

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I’ve had for many years and I revisit it from time to time. I dusted it off again this weekend and many of the axioms and gems still hit home. Especially the points about the uselessness of a lot of corporate time-wasting activities (like meetings and memos). It’s a little dated, being published 30yrs ago, but this is the type of book where you take what you need from it and leave the rest behind.

Some of my favorite axioms:

Study the conventional wisdom, then shun it

Never knock someone else’s racket - you never know when you will be pulling the same stunt yourself some day

Your biggest problems will always originate from people

The more you speak, the less others listen

Don’t tell anybody more than they need to know

Never expect logic and reason to govern human affairs

[oldb1rd · Rating 4 out of 5]

В 20+ читалось как устаревшие корпоративные ценности консервативного бумера.
В 30+ - ну ладно, местами что-то в этом есть.

Вернусь в 40+.

[Amarta Adi · Rating 4 out of 5]

bagi yang berminat mendaki karir dengan cara jilat- menjilat, tikam- menikam dari belakang dan sebagainya bisa mengoleksi buku ini. milikilah 'moral seorang pelacur dan sopan santun seorang diplomat' untuk sukses, katanya.

[Vahagn Dilbaryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Մենեջմենթով զբաղվողների համար իսկապես հետաքրքիր գիրք է։ Չորս աստղ եմ դրել այն բանի համար, որ երբեմն ծայրահեղացնող խորհուրդներ կան, որոնք կիրառելի չեն մեր օրերում։ Գրքից մի քանի մեջբերումներ՝
Ամենավստահելի մարդուց անգամ սպասիր, որ կարող է դավաճանել։
Եթե տեսնում ես, որ աշխատակիցը գրիչ է գողացել, ապա հետևիր նրան, որովհետև ախորժակը մեծանալու է։
Քիչ խոսիր, որ շատ լսես։
Ուշադիր հետևիր, թե թիմում ովքեր ում հետ են կոալիցիա կազմում։
Աշխարհը պատկանում է համբերատարներին։
Չես կարողանում մաքուր հաղթել, կեղտոտ ձևով հաղթիր, կամ էլ ստիպիր, որ ուրիշները քո փոխարեն կռվեն։
Սովորիր ասել՝ ես չգիտեմ։

Մի խոսքով, արժե կարդալ։

[Andrey Maksymenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Эта книжка простояла у меня на полке не менее 15 лет прежде, чем у меня до нее дошли руки. Если бы я прочитал ее тогда, в середине 2000-х , она могла бы мне показаться толковой и даже с элементами откровения от крутого парня (предположительно, босса сицилийской мафии).
Однако на дворе конец 2021 года, и книга звучит так старомодно и пафосно, а местами и полностью противоречит современным бизнес-этическим практикам, что с легким сердцем можно ставить 2*, в лучшем случае 2,3*. Перед глазами у меня человек с сильным итальянским акцентом в комическом двубортном полосатом костюме и шляпе, с умным лицом рассказывающий ребятам из кремниевой долины, как нужно вести дела – как нужно делать свои «первые кости», «мочить ублюдков», «пинать лохов», «вести офисные интриги/войны», «не спать с любовницами босса» и т.д.
Местами было смешно от этого cheese-пафоса, местами было неприятно читать, в частности о позиции автора по отношению женщинам. Эта позиция сама по себе по современным меркам отправляет эту книгу в реку вечного забвения.
Не рекомендую.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated it. Its a brainwashing book about how to go to work with a plan in only becoming richer and seeing enemies everywhere. Times have changed. I want to believe in a world were people want a better quality of life, helping and treating people as how they would like to be treated.

These tactics are just plain awful. If you think like this about colleagues etc what would prevent one to reflect this type of thinking in their family and friends. This way of thinking about the world is quite shit to be fair and it reminds me of a book title from Paulo Coelho "the winner stands alone". Who wants to be standing alone in this world? And these tactics are ultimately where they will drive one who follows them.

[T.C. Wanyanwu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an intellectual guts builder similar to 48 laws of power. A thriller with golden nuggets in form of axioms. It's highly recommendable!

[Fedjablpula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meni kao menadžeru nije mnogo pomogla, zvučalo mi je simpatično na prvu da se proba povući neka paralela između mafije i ozbiljnog korporativnog biznisa, međutim sama izvedba nije vrijedna pohvala.

Dopalo mi se sljedeće, što i činim u svom poslovanju:


3 osnovna pravila učinkovitog upravljanja vremenom jesu:
1. Načiniti popis poslova
2. Povjerite ih drugima
3. Podijelite ih još više

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Behold the face of evil, this regressive but nonetheless remarkable compendium of road-tested and timeless aphorisms and recommendations for exactly how to make a killing in business. Somehow the author never gets around to asking why we'd make this kind of stab at greatness. Who would want to lead? A question for the author, and for Machiavelli himself. Some other questions one might have: Is it truly necessary to ensure that the woman's place is in the home only, and should know nothing of the business? Is the code of power truly "honor, vengeance, and solidarity," when it seems these are all chucked when necessary to protect oneself? Is it instead all about profit, as we are wisely counseled on page 1? Are the only useful dimensions of human character, when it comes to team dynamics, smarts and ambition? Do we really want to return to balkanized feudalism? Why do this, be this ruthless, when the business itself has no purpose but reproducing itself at the expense of our safety, self-respect, and closeness with our families? You can rule the world. All you have to do is chuck out the window all such romantic notions as conscience, honesty, integrity, kindness, camaraderie, greater purpose, etc. etc. etc., just be after power and nothing else, not even caring about the risks. Should be named "The Cluster B Handbook Of Justifications." Excelsior!

Update: But I must amend this review, and give this handbook a little more of the respect it deserves. Despite its contradictions, flaws, shortness, and lack of polish, it is still brutally honest about the dark side. And not afraid to take a pot shot or two at our glorious business leaders, in service of bringing you the skinny on the nature of their bullshit. Perhaps the author goads you answer for yourself what you are truly committed to.

[Emmanuel Mandela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Never ask your secretary to make you coffee, romantic involvement with her is strictly taboo "-V. Secretaries are usually the downfall of many great leaders, hence, V. admonished that you stay away from your secretary. Business is business. In this masterpiece, it is worthy to note that working smart is better than working hard. In business, you must learn when to be ruthless. Al Capone once remarked that you can achieve more with kind words and a gun than with kind words alone. Good read

[James Carlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book because it is easy to read and gives a whole different focus on management and leadership than what you would get in some MBA course. This is what is LACKING in most Universities' curricula - pragmatic insights, instead of theoretical concepts that have not really been proven or successful in cutting-edge businesses.

It is a book on common sense leadership which is NOT taught in typical MBA courses. You manage resources, but you lead people. No one likes to get "managed". I taught at both the undergrad and Exec Masters level as well as worked in consulting as a Practice Area Director at a Big Four consulting firm. The more perspectives you read, the better off you are in dealing with real world issues.

Those discounting this book are probably the ones who need to read it - and understand it the most.

[Darya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite read for corporate relationships. Obviously, the book is a good fun and engaging to read however you need to filter the information via lenses of your own experience and situation. I have read this book several times and it really seems to me now that corporate world is based on the same principles of mafia ladder due to a lot of corporate politics involved is big corporations. Not being a fan of them it looks difficult to navigate and succeed in the world of corporate mafia. Anyways, fun #book to read!

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very niche sort of leadership book, but entertaining and interesting for the peek into the organization that it references. As you might expect, there's a good deal of partriarchal machismo and casual misogyny sprinkled here and there, but this really does read like it was written by an old-school but very successful businessman. There are keen insights into human nature here, on what virtues a good leader should cultivate, and how to keep people invested in a high-risk, high-reward business.

[Пётр · Rating 3 out of 5]

Интересная "настольная" книга для людей, карабкающихся по любому виду карьерной лестницы.
Читается интересно - проводить аналогии между миром мафии и жизнью в офисе действительно забавно, многие мысли, высказанные в книге, действительно можно хорошо применять на рабочем месте. Без фанатизма, конечно, но можно.
Некоторые аксиомы, которые приводятся в конце каждой части книги, вполне житейские. Но без откровений и каких-либо реальных инструментов - только общие мысли. Неплохое, наверное, начало для "строящего себя человека".

[♡ Tina K ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are working as a manager or you want to be one in near future, it's a book you MUST have.
This book perfectly connects management to mafia structure, gives lots of advices on how to have a relationship with business like a gentleman with a woman.
The only aspects that I don't agree with is a machinist attitude towards wifes, and betraying anyone who gets in your way.
But this book still deserves 5 stars.
Mr. V, you did a good job!

[Blossom · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boyfriend is not much of a reader so when we both visited a bookstore looking for a book that I could read we just decided to pick this little book to read together. We purchased two copies and started reading on the way home.
We could not stop laughing at all the mafia moments in the book. I recommend this to any business major who needs to look at their course in a funny light. It made me proud of what I am studying.

[Sara Sokolovska · Rating 4 out of 5]

A title that exactly describes the book and its meaning. How does one mafia manager succeed in running a business and aiming for power? I tried to change my perspective and take a position as a leader to give a better review, however, all I learned is how to be ruthless and selfish. It contains brutal examples, and I will agree with some of them only. It's a short book and will recommend it only because this is a rear brutal truth that you can't find in other self-help books.

[Konstantinos Papaef · Rating 2 out of 5]

Χωρίς ιδιαίτερο βάθος αναλύσεις. Συμβουλές δύσκολες να πραγματοποιηθούν στον κανονικό επιχειρηματικό κόσμο. Ίσως κάποιες παρομοιώσεις του κόσμου της μαφίας να βοηθήσουν σε κάποιες καταστάσεις αλλά μέχρι εκεί. Παρόλα αυτά "εύκολο" στην ανάγνωση βιβλίο, με αρκετά καθαρή γραφή. Δεν θα το ξαναδιάβαζα ούτε θα το πρότεινα.

[Somu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is better at teaching Machiavellian principles in the modern world than '48 Laws of Power' or '33 Strategies of War'! It's short, sweet, and straight to the point. '48 Laws' can be a bit long (not a huge deal for me, but maybe for others) and is just plain nasty But 'The Mafia Manager' serves up those same ruthless power moves with a side of humor, that's a bonus.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty book involving the Mafia in relation to the business world, which contains some valuable insights about leadership.

This book combines common sense, street smarts, and business aptitude in a humorous and relevant fashion for the MBA and the layman.

I have read this book twice, and may read it again.

Saluti! 🍷

[Loreen Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how V. Gives advice comparing legit and how it can be done in the Mafia
The book has a lot of worthwhile information and advices. I loved the humor as well. However, I do not agree with some perspectives, but still, it’s a good and refreshing read.

[Aforma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about management and focus for entrepreneur and upcoming entrepreneur. It helps teaching the life game of survivor and it tells you the rules .
"Think much, listen more and speak less"
Always observe your opponent reaction.
I love this book so much

[Somil Pasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly, One of the best books a person can read. It's not a lengthy book and one can always finish it in 4 - 6 hours.
The book is more with a practical perspective than being theoretic and is quite straight forward with approaches.
I would suggest it as a "must read".

[Miljana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iako ima korisnih saveta i trikova, nije baš uputstvo za mene, jer se kosi sa svim onim što sam usvojila. Ali tačno sam mogla da prepoznam neke od kolega sa kojima sam radila, koji se slično ponašaju i čini mi se da ovo uspeva.