Inside The Mafia: Violent Stories & Most Feared Bosses

The year is 1986.

Michael Franzese is making $10 million weekly from his gasoline tax scheme whilst flying private jets and living like royalty.

But it will all come crashing down due to one unfortunate mistake…

He’s been branded one of America's 50 most powerful mob bosses by Fortune magazine, and since the 80s, Michael’s transformed from Mafia captain to motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

This week on the Podcast, Michael exposes the psychology of high-stakes decision-making and the principles that create lasting change.

→ WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE:

FROM MAFIA MILLIONS TO LEGITIMATE SUCCESS

The Two-Pillars of Success

Who do you hang out with? Who are you accountable to?

Asking yourself these two questions could determine your life's direction moving forward.

Surround yourself with people who elevate you, and don’t fool yourself into thinking you can fix people who don’t want to be fixed.

Your accountability structure (God, family, mentors) becomes your moral compass when temptation strikes.

Do What You Do Best, Delegate The Rest

Due to his unique past, one of Franzese’s main talents is recognising potential and assembling teams that deliver results.

1. Identify opportunities quickly,
   

2. Hire the right people,
   

3. Motivate them intensely.

Treat Everyone With Respect

One of the main lessons that Michael learned from his father, John "Sonny" Franzese, is to always treat the "little guy" well.

They’re the ones that make you strong, not those above you. All they want is to cut your legs off.

The waitress, security guard, and junior employee - these people will all remember how you treat them.

This approach opened doors Michael couldn't have anticipated, from restaurant owners to retail buyers.

Innovation Over Industry Standards

Michael's mafia life was defined by paranoia and betrayal.

Constant FBI surveillance. On trial when he was only 21.

Not to mention trusted associates turning out to be longtime informants.

When his partner flipped, Michael's $350 million gasoline empire collapsed overnight. Prison meant years in solitary whilst the feds pressured him to cooperate.

Of his six oath-brothers, only Michael survived. The rest were murdered.

The glamorous lifestyle Hollywood depicts was - to Michael - isolation, betrayal, and an almost certain death sentence. But Michael Survived.

Now 74, he's built successful ventures, and spoken at over 300 universities about the real cost of the criminal life.

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