I took This Lesson From the Life of a Mafia Boss

They’re built on clarity, conviction, and sometimes cold-blooded decisions.

And the people who build them? They’re not playing to feel good, they’re playing to endure.

Here's the Story

He hired a young person to pick up his money from the different pick up points. They came to an agreement on $3500 for the job.

All was well in the beginning until the employee realized how much money he’s accumulating and what he’s really receiving. Therefore, he decided to approach the boss and asked for a raise. In his calculations, the boss would not refuse him because he has seen the money and has been doing his job just fine.

Interesting though, the boss didn’t see it that way; he was a mafia boss and an entrepreneur, so he did something unexpected. He decided to fire the employee.

But why? He claimed that the employee was greedy rather than doing his job. He lost focus on how much the boss was getting and believed he deserved it. Hehe.

I found this story rich with lessons, and honestly, it’s one of those unexpected gems that says a lot about mindset, power dynamics, and positioning.
While the employee thought he had leverage because he’d seen how much was coming in. The boss knew something deeper: not everyone who sees the game understands the game.

What the Mafia boss knew (and what many learn the hard way)

Doing the job doesn’t mean you built the system

Just because you're in the room doesn’t mean you created the blueprint.

You can’t negotiate from emotion
The employee felt entitled based on exposure, not contribution. The boss saw it as a liability, not loyalty.

Power respects structure
The mafia boss was running a high-risk, high-stakes operation. What he needed was obedience with competence, not a sudden business partner.

Ownership changes everything
The one who takes the risk, builds the system, and sustains the pressure: owns the outcome. The rest are part of the machine, unless they break off and build their own.

So what's the real lesson?

Empires are not a joke.

They’re built by people who are: