Around 1926 a charming lad decided to visit Al Capone, who at the time was probably the most feared gangster back then.
He had an elegant accent and introduced himself as Count Victor Lustig.
He basically promised Capone that if he gave him $50k he could double it.
Capone was flush because of his gangster-y ways and decided he was going to trust this absolute stranger because he knew if he was double crossed, well…
We know that they knew that they’d be sleeping with the fishes if they didn’t do what they said.
He gave him 60 days to double it, counted out the cash personally and gave it to Victor.
Victor then went on his merry way and locked up that $50k in a safe deposit back and did what a conman does.
Ventured from Chicago to New York and back again fully knowing that he couldn’t be bothered with the doubling of Capone’s money…
Apologetically he returned to Capone. Reported to him that he had failed in doubling the money, reached into his pocket and dropped the $50k back on the desk like nothing mattered, while still apologising with genuine sincerity. He said he was embarrassed that it didn’t work out and he failed, even though he’d have loved to double the money. Purely because he wanted it to work for him too as he really needed it…
Capone looked at him, sagged back into his chair, confused and even called him out on being a conman. Although he was shocked in his own right as he was expecting to either get the money doubled or lose it. He didn’t expect him return the $50k.
Luckily Victor got what he wanted. Yeah, not the doubling of his and Capone’s money, but Capone ended up spotting him $5k purely because of his honesty and well, there’s a lesson in that.
Victor knew that if he did con someone like Capone. He’d be good as dead. What he did do was use Capone’s natural distrusting nature against him, by becoming someone trustful, even if they didn’t accomplish what they said the were going to do in the first place.
Was what Victor did shady? Of course, but like I said. There’s a lesson in there.
When you fuck up. Tell the person/s affected that you fucked up.
If you’re in the online space and you’re offering a service to other people too. Instead of using the usual over hyped guarantees on what you can deliver. Just be straight up.
“Yes I’ve done this for xyz people and they have seen incredible results, however like anything in life. There are no guarantees. I’ll do my best to abc – blah blah blah…”
Leaving a potential client/prospect with outright honesty on what you can and can’t deliver will have them wanting to do more business with you.
You don’t need to sell yourself to the AI hype bros that promise unrealistic things. We all know people are crying out for actual human connection and honesty.
So do with this info as you will. I just thought it was an interesting little tale I read about a few years ago.
Stephen Walker.
