re: Was Tony Soprano a good boss?

As a Mafia boss, he certainly had the ability to lead, but he frequently made strategic errors. He was impulsive, easily manipulated, and emotional in many cases on decisions that impacted him personally. The Tony B fiasco was a good example of that.

On the other hand, he was much more strategic if he were more detached from the decision. He definitely was more decisive when it wasn't personal.

quote:

---

The mob life was something she became good at but was not born into.

---

Yep.

When I think about it...Tony was actually born into it, but I suspect he'd have been happier if he were working construction somewhere instead of being a mafia boss. I think it was in College when Tony mentioned (almost regretfully) to Meadow that his parents never stressed education. He enjoyed history and had a fleeting desire to be an architect at some point. He was born into it, and still struggled to be effective.

That's part of the show's appeal to me. He's a very imperfect person to be in the position that he has. He also had the ability and authority to act on his impulses (which a lot of us can't do)....and that made the audience both love and hate him.

quote:

---

Meh - Jersey isn't a family, it's a glorified crew - "boss" is more like a capo on steroids.

So, however long they maintained their modicum of independence, they should be grateful.

---

There really wasn't a good "leader" in the whole show. All of them stabbed others behind the back and didn't have much in the way of impulse control. Tony, Carmine, Johnny Sack, Phil, etc.

quote:

---

now the thing with the hoor.

---

I believe that's "hooowh-oar", sir.

quote:

---

hoor

---

quote:

---

hooowh-oar

---

Hoo-ah.

quote:

---

“Never let anyone know what you are thinking.”

---

-Vito Corleone

Tony failed to follow this rule, and too often let his emotions get the best of him.

"Tony has a lot more on his mind than I do...like whether or not to eat that third sandwich"

-Christopher Moltisanti