Business Lessons I learned from Sons of Anarchy

I am slightly in love with the dangerous drama Sons of Anarchy. I watch every week with my husband, edging and squirming in my seat waiting to see what happens to the SAMCRO crew. I get mad when they're attacked, I feel the sadness of the past, and I cheer when Gemma does something bad#*@! But then I realized, that Jax runs his Club just like I run my business. So, you fellow leather lovers, here's what I learned in doing business from SOA:

• Bad Communication is Dead Business

Everyone knows the game telephone. But would you play it with SAMCRO or the Irish? Probably not. Because you know the message will be wrong, and loosing to them might be the end of you. So why don't you apply this to your business? We have so many ways to talk to each other now that it becomes more problem than a solution. You sent your co-worker an email, then he replies in text, but you don't see it in time, so you try to facetime him right fast before the meeting, but he can't answer, so he messages you on Facebook instead.... You know what happens. So my answer is to delegate strict communication rules. If you need me right away, call. Need me sometime today, text. Sometime this week or longer, email. That's it. I keep my professional communications simple, so I don't loose work.

• Loyalty Is Key

The Sons of Anarchy are the perfect example of loyalty. They show it every day in their unwillingness to rat on anyone for gain and protecting the club with all it's members plus their families. You can show your loyalty by rewarding the talent that you see in other coworkers, your employees, and vendors you work with. Keep them encouraged. They should always know how you feel through your words AND your actions.

• Don’t Assume Everything

You know the cliche, yup, that one. Just don't do it, ever, with anyone or anything. This point is simple and easy to follow. Leaders sometimes have to make decisions without having all the facts, but a good business professional pulls in as much information as possible and takes counsel from mentors in order to dictate the best course of action.

• They don't have to like you, just love your business

Despite SOA's reputation for shooting first and asking questions later, the Sons are still a lovable group of criminals. This is evident in the long lasting and deep relationships that they hold plus the family life they share. You can maintain your business love-ability by engaging with customers and working hard to continuously develop new relationships.

• Give you Team all they need

 It's not that hard. Just make sure you're delegating the right tasks to the right person. And don't leave them hanging. If you are giving out project assignments, give them the right tools to use. You won't see Bobby going to blow away the Irish with just a knife. Jax will make sure he has the guns needed. So don't send your employees to fight with just a pen.

• You will HAVE to Fight for It

If you want it, if it's worth it, make sure you fight for it. You will never succeed in any business industry without fighting for something. Struggling past an obstacle. It's through the fight that you learn how to win.

• Let go what you can't control

Every episode I watch seems to have a big “I’ll take care of it” or “I’d never let that happen” sentence from a "Man in Charge". Despite their bad-butt attitude and good hearted intentions, even they are totally powerless in affecting the outcome. With your business there are too many external forces which you must realize you can't influence. Wasting time and efforts on things you can't change won't help you or your business. Identifying what these factors are and how they influence your business is such a critical part to working through them to achieve your goals.  

• A Fresh Perspective is a Game Changer

In season five, the club started out with a new vice president. You don’t need to step down from your business, but asking others thoughts and opinions is always a great asset that's under used. Maybe you can bring in a consultant. Maybe it’s just a matter of listening to the suggestions of your loyal and new customers, clients, or employees. 

It is possible to learn business inside tips from a group of outlaws. Putting these lessons into your practice will only make your business tougher & stronger. And awesome leather vest with company patches are always a great way to go!