Nothing Fails Like Success: When Award-Winning Al Pacino Almost Got Fired from "The Godfather"

 During the first week of shooting "The Godfather," it was obvious to everyone on the set, including the director Francis Ford Coppola, that Al Pacino was not "getting" Michael Corleone. Although Pacino had already won major awards for acting, he couldn't wrap his identity around the boy-scout son of a gangster who would soon enough evolve into an organized-crime mastermind. 

But, Pacino was able to override his earlier success and create a Michael. So much so that when "The Godfather" was released New Yorkers greeted Pacino on the street with "Hey, Michael." In his memoir "Sonny Boy," Pacino recounts that challenge. The lesson he learned was not to accept roles even from iconic directors like Igmar Bergman that he knew he couldn't wrap his soul around.

That challege dominates most professionals in this continually mutating era. They have to grow into new roles.

Some are succeeding. 

At the top of the list is the chair of law firm Paul Weiss Brad Karp. His necessary transformation is from the signature charm-and-calm to an aggressive global growth machine and risk-taker in political networking. It's a high-wire act. 

As such Karp seems to interface with all constituents be they the media or potential lateral star recruits differently than in his previous leadership days dating back to 2008. Karp is beating the odds that earlier success becomes the platform for current failure. Dramatically he has veered away from those past formulas. 

Also effective in taking on a new role has been lifestyle designer Martha Stewart. The new Netflix documentary "Martha" features her post-prison transition from diva to Everywoman who has suffered, just like the rest of us. That shift has given her new runway. Before that, the assumption was that she was finished.

Others are blowing it.

Not doing so hot in the role of Starbucks savior is current CEO Brian Niccol. There is no moving the dial, not with customers as sales continue to decline. And not internally with employees. There is the RTO mandate for the troops while Niccol functions totally remote. Recall how Chrysler had been saved in the late 1970s through the corporatewide Equality of Sacrifice. 

Also seemingly unable to transcend who he used to be is Disney's bounceback CEO Bob Iger. Although the media landscape has changed radically, essentially Iger remains the Iger of what were much better times for Disney. 

Isn't the takeaway here the lesson Pacino got down cold: Don't get into a game you can't become one with. The odds are that will require a 180-degree change. 

Life is hard. Business is even more difficult these days. Get answers – and relief. Jane Genova is a results-driven intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)