Leadership/Life Lessons from an American Gangster

One of the great things about having a concentrated amount of time off is being able to catch up on movies I haven't watched yet.

Here are some 'live' musings I made while watching American Gangster (2007).



1. Ahhh! The power of mentoring – Whose your Bumpy? Michael "Bumpy" Durso - has a ring to it! I'll ask him what he thinks of the new name?

2. Wider the influence and further the reach when you seek out the ‘best'. Will you settle for the cheap stuff like everyone else?

3. Crime pays, but never for long. There is a way that seems right but in the end leads to death.

4. One man and a strategy can go a long way but sooner or later ‘trusted’ stakeholders must be engaged – the power of we! Good guys and bad guys follow this one! One CAN involve family (it works) but beware it may backfire…literally.

5. Business 101 – undercut the competition.

6. Respect can be demanded, better when earned!

7."The loudest one in the room is the weakest" – sometimes it’s better to fly under the radar than to flash on it. Burn the fur coat! Thanks Chaplain Willie

8. Public success at the expense of home life equates to no success at all.

9. Old Spice – an American classic.

10. Ali v Frazier – real boxing!

11. Drugs still responsible for the destruction of our urban centers.

12. Saying sorry in divorce court is too little too late. Begin with the end in mind and work your way backwards because all things are created twice! Thanks Covey

13. If a bullet is intended for someone you love – take it!

14. Success has enemies

15. Sometimes wisdom from mom must be accompanied with a smack.

Ralph