The Movie Lessons: Scarface

Good day peoples,

Today i'm gonna explore a whole other angle and will be doing so occasionaly. We all love the classic flicks and what we draw from them so this week's movie lesson is the legendary Scarface.

The plot was set in in 1980 where 125,000 Cuban refugees fled to the U.S. to find a better life. And for one of the refugees named Tony Montana, nothing will satisfy but the world and everything in it. Along with his good friend Manny, Tony starts doing dirty work for a Miami drug kingpin named Frank Lopez. After escaping a gang of double-crossing Columbians and a chainsaw, Tony’s raw and determined spirit wins Frank’s respect and employ. After Tony makes a cocaine deal with a Bolivian drug lord behind his back, Frank foils an attempt to rub out the scar-faced Cuban, which leads to his demise. With Frank out of the way, Tony marries his girlfriend Elvira and starts to build the largest drug empire in the southeast. But once reaching the top, Tony soon finds his world sailing to the bottom after losing his wife, his sister, his friend, and ultimately his life.

Don’t Mince Words
People these days use a lot of verbal filler. Yet, when you say what you mean and are sincere, people will trust you more and will want to do business with you. Mincing words shows that you aren’t decisive and are just trying to say what the other side wants to hear. Be direct in conversation. This will show respect and honesty, which are two characteristics of a stand-up man.

Seize Opportunities
Every missed opportunity holds you back, so you have to be vigilant and willing to move on any potential occasion. Scarface will teach you that the best opportunities are usually the ones that pop up unannounced. Knowing a good deal from a rotten egg isn’t a skill that you’ll acquire overnight. It takes practice and experience. Just know this, it’s better to shoot and miss than to never pick up the gun at all.

Bite The Bullet
As Tony said in Scarface, you only have two things in this world: Your word and your balls, and you shouldn’t break them for anybody. Honoring commitments will put you on the fast track when it comes to getting on top. Don’t make deals if you can’t follow through. Even if something doesn’t go the way you plan while fulfilling an obligation, bite the bullet and finish the job. If things change, you shouldn’t be the one to change them. Know your place in the operation and complete the task given to you.

Don’t Cross Somebody First
Deceit is a gift, but vengeance is swift. The old philosophy that says "It’s better to strike first" has no respect or relevance in the world today. Rome had many Caesars not because of how long it had been around but because they constantly had to be looking over their shoulders for some opponent with a dagger, who was usually their double crossing bodyguard. Be the first to show honour and loyalty. If this is welcomed with a stab in the back, you’ll know how much harder to push the blade in return.

Know When To Cut Ties
There comes a time to end a relationship, business or otherwise. Sure, there’s loyalty but it’s a two way street. If they cross you, cut the cord. If you have a better opportunity elsewhere and they’re not willing to match, end it. If they aren’t willing to compensate you for breaking your back for them, someone else will. It ultimately comes down to knowing what you deserve. The problem today isn’t selfishness, it’s people giving too much of themselves without looking out for number one. Don’t be the martyr.

Surround Yourself With The Right People
If Scarface teaches us anything, it's that the right people make the difference. You have to surround yourself with people that are fully supportive of your goals. If everyone is working toward the same end it gets done quicker. That being said, you want to treat your people well. You don’t want to lose them to th competition or have them bring down your work. Usually, all your guys want is to hear that they’re doing a good job and are bringing something to the table. If not, they will find something else, just like you would.

Crazy Scene
What led to Tony Montana’s downfall in the movie Scarface was his inability to appreciate anything that he had. He sold his soul for money and power. Ambition isn’t a sin, but when you’re never satisfied with what you have, you’ll end up destroying yourself. Tony could have fought Sosa and won if he had his friends and cohorts behind him. His selfishness and ego pushed them away or killed them. Before you go out and buy some screwed up speed boat, take a look at your car and everything else in your life and contemplate what you could really use that money for. Any idiot that would spend on himself before his family should receive a swift kick in the face. Until next time, I'm out.

the audacious truth