Gustavo "Gus" Fring from the television series, Breaking Bad, played by actor Giancarlo Esposito can be termed as the cleanest bad-ass drug-lord on television, and by cleanest I mean someone who blends in so perfectly to normal appearances, and yet manages the biggest drug empire, while at the same time being the good guy by funding hospitals, police force, running a fast food chain, etc.
I found Gustavo "Gus" Fring character in breaking bad a very efficient business owner, entrepreneur, and a manager.
Here are some things we can learn (as management lessons) from this Gus Fring character of breaking bad:
- Keeping up appearances - Gus always dresses up like a business man, speaks like a businessman. His voice has a down to earth, good sort of tone to it.
- Delegation - Gus and his business were an epitome of perfect delegation. He had the right people to do their jobs with him only giving the go ahead whenever needed. This way he never got his hands dirty. Imagine Gus without Mike, now, could you?
- Giving Himself some Home time - Gus has been seen in the series to be at home relaxing and cooking for himself. he took great pride in cooking his delicious fish stew.
- Always Negotiate First - Instead of jumping to the bad side, Gus always wanted to sort things out in a friendly way. Although this was his first move, he never backed out from being firm on his ground.
- Assert Power & Set Examples - All good things aside, when the time came, Gus didn't waiver from setting clear examples of his firmness and power. Box cutter, anyone?
- Planning for Future & Business Continuity - Gus hired a chemistry scholarship winner for the lab and always tried to make him capable of running the lab without Walter White. He didn't want his production to stop with White's death.
Gustavo Frings, Salud!