Leadership Behavior in "The Godfather"
By Amna
Theoretical Overview. The behaviors of effective leaders can be studied by interpreting and connecting what leaders do in “accomplishing the task” and “maintaining the effort of people doing the task.” One distinct style of leadership is job-centered leader, whose focus is on completing a task and supervising closely in order for subordinates to accomplish their tasks following the assigned procedure. A job- centered leader initiates task structure; which “involves behavior in which the leader organizes and defines the relationships in the group, tends to establish well-defined patterns and channels of communication, and spells out ways of getting the job done.” This leader’s main focus is on the attainment of goals and results.
Scene Summary. Tom Hagen reminds the Godfather of subordinates, the latest family member and Virgo Salatzo. The Godfather utterly dismisses the notion of involving the son in law in family business. He also postpones the plan of giving Salatzo a task now, and instead orders Hagen to do service and to immediately go to California to secure a Hollywood movie role for Johnny. Hagan is a little taken aback to learn that he is to travel to California as there has been no discussion of the matter previously; the Godfather simply informs him he will travel that night and accomplish the required task. (ch.3 25:04-25:30 mins)
Analysis. The Godfather’s effective leadership traits shown are job-centered and high task- structure. The Godfather’s job-centered tendencies are observable in his delegation of tasks and his direct issuing of orders to subordinates. The Godfather prioritizes tasks; first he delegates a task for Tom Hagan, and once Hagan returns upon completion of his task which consists of securing Johnny a Hollywood movie role, the Godfather plans to organize a task for Salatzo. The Godfather initiates task- structure: he knows what tasks to delegate to which individual and “spells” out how it should be done. The Godfather instructs Hagan to go to California and how to perform the task, “Go to California” and he orders him to speak to the movie boss. Finally, he is selective in his choice of subordinates: he carefully weighs and considers the merits of the subordinates he assigns to jobs. When Hagen refers to the new son in law “Now, your new son-in-law, we’ve got to give him something important.” The Godfather responds “Never! Give him a living but never involve him in the family business.”