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Менеджер Мафии. Руководство для корпоративного Макиавелли
Множество людей, пытаясь обрести личное благополучие, власть и авторитет, ищут знаний у тех, кто уже вкусил успеха. "Менеджер мафии" даст вам эти знания, усвоив которые, вы найдете свое место в системе, возможно даже пройдя по головам других. Потому что, чтобы найти это место, не имея наследства, связей или больших денег вы должны быть умнее, амбициознее и энергичнее, чем конкуренты.
А когда вы найдете свое место, попробуйте на нем удержаться. На страницах "Менеджера мафии" собраны знания и опыт безжалостных боссов, чей организационный и управленческий гений позволяет нам не сомневаться в том, что "мафия бессмертна".
А когда вы найдете свое место, попробуйте на нем удержаться. На страницах "Менеджера мафии" собраны знания и опыт безжалостных боссов, чей организационный и управленческий гений позволяет нам не сомневаться в том, что "мафия бессмертна".
125 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 9, 2015
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.
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.
June 3, 2013
I first read this book in 2013, and I am writing this review in 2026. Twelve years later, I am surprised by how much of it has stayed with me.
The Mafia Manager: A Guide to the Corporate Machiavelli is a deliberately provocative book. Written through the voice and worldview of the Mafia, it offers cold, sometimes ruthless advice on power, communication, relationships, ambition, and survival in the corporate world.
What stayed with me most was its treatment of power and communication. Speak less. Observe more. Don't reveal everything you know. Brevity creates attention, and silence can sometimes communicate more than words. These ideas sound simple, but they become surprisingly relevant when dealing with people, organizations, and power structures.
The book is equally unapologetic about self-interest. It argues that ambition requires accepting competition, understanding enemies, protecting your interests, and recognizing that money and influence are tools of power. Some of its advice is intentionally cynical, and I certainly wouldn't accept every principle literally. But that is also what makes the book interesting—it forces you to think about the realities of organizational politics rather than the sanitized version we are often taught.
Some of my favourite lines from the book:
"If you think and act solely for your own benefit, you'll reach the top."
"The higher an ape claims, the more he exposes his bald ass."
And perhaps my favourite:
"Speaking softly forces others to listen."
I first encountered Machiavelli through this book, and it eventually led me to The Prince. Looking back, that makes The Mafia Manager even more significant in my reading journey. It was my introduction to a whole body of thinking about power, leadership, strategy, and human behaviour that I am still exploring more than a decade later.
Great book. Twelve years later, it still has something to say to me. I will definitely read it again.
The Mafia Manager: A Guide to the Corporate Machiavelli is a deliberately provocative book. Written through the voice and worldview of the Mafia, it offers cold, sometimes ruthless advice on power, communication, relationships, ambition, and survival in the corporate world.
What stayed with me most was its treatment of power and communication. Speak less. Observe more. Don't reveal everything you know. Brevity creates attention, and silence can sometimes communicate more than words. These ideas sound simple, but they become surprisingly relevant when dealing with people, organizations, and power structures.
The book is equally unapologetic about self-interest. It argues that ambition requires accepting competition, understanding enemies, protecting your interests, and recognizing that money and influence are tools of power. Some of its advice is intentionally cynical, and I certainly wouldn't accept every principle literally. But that is also what makes the book interesting—it forces you to think about the realities of organizational politics rather than the sanitized version we are often taught.
Some of my favourite lines from the book:
"If you think and act solely for your own benefit, you'll reach the top."
"The higher an ape claims, the more he exposes his bald ass."
And perhaps my favourite:
"Speaking softly forces others to listen."
I first encountered Machiavelli through this book, and it eventually led me to The Prince. Looking back, that makes The Mafia Manager even more significant in my reading journey. It was my introduction to a whole body of thinking about power, leadership, strategy, and human behaviour that I am still exploring more than a decade later.
Great book. Twelve years later, it still has something to say to me. I will definitely read it again.
October 20, 2016
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.
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.
March 29, 2013
An optional-read book on office politics which will happen to you and around you whether you participate in politics or not.
December 2, 2016
It was an interesting read with all forms of street-corporate sense, direct and all that needs be applied or filtered with utmost caution.
Read
August 26, 2011The 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.
April 20, 2014
Отличная книга. Краткая и по теме. Никаких сюсюканий и прочего - голые факты.
September 16, 2026
Allow me to defend myself: I only read this because I stumbled across it one day and said "the main character of my novel would probably read something like this." I would never have gone out of my way to read this otherwise.
Some of the other reviews for this book are insane. People are acting like there's any semblance of profound knowledge in here. Allow me to sum up the entire book in one sentence: "In business (weather legitimate or illegitimate), you gotta do whatever it takes to win 😈" Every piece of advice is either common sense or is just "how to make people hate you 101."
Also the sexism in here was crazy. Every person less important than you (the reader) is assumed to be female and anyone more important is assumed to be male. One piece of advice is to not expect any "erotic favors" from your secretary. I'm sorry to say that if you needed to read that in a book in order to learn that lesson, then you're beyond saving. The final piece of advice, I kid you not, is to get a prenuptial and make your your wife doesn't leave the kitchen. I felt like I needed to have a fake cover for this book whenever I'd read it in public.
Reading this at the same time as Crime and Punishment was also crazy. I'd go from well thought out philosophical arguments to "heh, in dis Thing Of Ours, we usually kill people... but you'll just have to fire them hehe. You're da boss."
So why two stars instead of one? Because I wasn't disappointed. I knew going into this that it would be bad and it was. This truly is the only book you can judge by its cover. There's also a few funny quotes I got from this (my favorite being "given enough time, nothing gets done"). I could've read the whole thing in three hours but every SINGLE time I sat down to read it, someone would interrupt me. I basically ended up reading it in three sessions.
Some of the other reviews for this book are insane. People are acting like there's any semblance of profound knowledge in here. Allow me to sum up the entire book in one sentence: "In business (weather legitimate or illegitimate), you gotta do whatever it takes to win 😈" Every piece of advice is either common sense or is just "how to make people hate you 101."
Also the sexism in here was crazy. Every person less important than you (the reader) is assumed to be female and anyone more important is assumed to be male. One piece of advice is to not expect any "erotic favors" from your secretary. I'm sorry to say that if you needed to read that in a book in order to learn that lesson, then you're beyond saving. The final piece of advice, I kid you not, is to get a prenuptial and make your your wife doesn't leave the kitchen. I felt like I needed to have a fake cover for this book whenever I'd read it in public.
Reading this at the same time as Crime and Punishment was also crazy. I'd go from well thought out philosophical arguments to "heh, in dis Thing Of Ours, we usually kill people... but you'll just have to fire them hehe. You're da boss."
So why two stars instead of one? Because I wasn't disappointed. I knew going into this that it would be bad and it was. This truly is the only book you can judge by its cover. There's also a few funny quotes I got from this (my favorite being "given enough time, nothing gets done"). I could've read the whole thing in three hours but every SINGLE time I sat down to read it, someone would interrupt me. I basically ended up reading it in three sessions.
May 16, 2021
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
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
June 12, 2023
В 20+ читалось как устаревшие корпоративные ценности консервативного бумера.
В 30+ - ну ладно, местами что-то в этом есть.
Вернусь в 40+.
В 30+ - ну ладно, местами что-то в этом есть.
Вернусь в 40+.
January 21, 2011
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.
February 19, 2024
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։
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։
December 28, 2021
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.
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.
December 11, 2021
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.
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.
August 21, 2023
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!
May 29, 2022
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
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
August 29, 2018
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.
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.
June 27, 2018
"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
May 9, 2022
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.
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.
March 9, 2020
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!
November 3, 2020
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.
December 27, 2020
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".
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".
July 21, 2026
Πολύ "κενό" βιβλίο. Συμβουλές απο έναν και καλά μαφιόζο για το πως να λειτουργείς και να τρέχεις μια επιχείρηση αλλά και πως να ανέβεις αν δεν είσαι ήδη σε ψηλα στρώματα της. Ουσιαστικά αυτό που είδα εγώ είναι τον ηγεμώνα του μακιαβέλι μεταφρασμένο σε επιχειρηματικά σχέδια. Μου φαίνονται όλα υπερβολές και θεωρίες που δύσκολα γίνονται πράξη εκτός αν είσαι πηγαία κακός άνθρωπος.
Αν γίνονται αυτά σε μεγάλες εταιρείες και σε υψηλά στελέχη πιστεύω πως ναι θα γίνονται. Αλλά για τον απλό κόσμο που ίσως διαβάσει απο περιέργεια αυτό το βιβλίο, πιστεύω είναι όλα αστεία και μη πραγματοποιήσιμα.
Αν γίνονται αυτά σε μεγάλες εταιρείες και σε υψηλά στελέχη πιστεύω πως ναι θα γίνονται. Αλλά για τον απλό κόσμο που ίσως διαβάσει απο περιέργεια αυτό το βιβλίο, πιστεύω είναι όλα αστεία και μη πραγματοποιήσιμα.
April 30, 2019
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!
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!
October 22, 2021
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.
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.
January 25, 2023
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.
June 1, 2023
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.
October 30, 2024
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.
April 18, 2019
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! 🍷
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! 🍷
September 5, 2019
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.
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.
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