RULE#22: Never bring a knife to a gun fight

RULE #22: Never Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight

As everyone in our family knows, this is one of my favorite expressions. It’s actually a variation of a quote from the 1987 movie The Untouchables:

“You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That’s the Chicago way!”

While Officer Malone (played by the great Sean Connery) may have meant it literally, I’ve come to use it in a much broader way.

In the movie, Malone is trying to wake up a young and idealistic Eliot Ness to the reality that winning—especially when the odds are stacked against you—requires changing the game, not just playing harder. You need to shift the balance. That’s what this rule is really about.

A Sidebar on James Bond (Because It’s Worth It)

Let’s take a quick but important detour: Sean Connery is the only legitimate James Bond. No one before or since has embodied Bond’s unique blend of cocky self-confidence and charm.

If you want to understand what real confidence looks like—particularly the kind that draws people in—watch Goldfinger (1964). It has very little to do with looks or bravado. It’s about that calm, unshakable presence. Women, in my modest opinion, are drawn to that kind of swagger—not arrogance, but quiet certainty.

Connery’s Bond walks into any room like he knows exactly where he’s going and exactly what he wants. That’s not something you can fake. And that’s the same kind of mindset Rule #22 is asking of you.

Back to the Fight

At its core, Rule #22 is about preparation and awareness.

You will face countless challenges in life—from finding a job, to raising kids, to buying a home. And in every one of those situations, your success will depend on whether you brought the right tools to the fight.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates for jobs. Some have shown up unshaven, underdressed (no, Matthew, your funny slogan t-shirt is not business attire), or completely clueless about the company. These poor souls brought a knife to a gun fight—and they left with the metaphorical gunshot wound of rejection.

But every now and then, someone walks in who’s done their homework. They know the company. They’ve dressed the part. They speak with purpose and professionalism. Those are the gunfighters.

And they don’t just get the job—they change the room they walk into.

Preparation Is Power

This rule is your reminder: never walk into a date, a job interview, a meeting, or a major life decision without first assessing the situation, preparing for it, and then executing with confidence.

Joe Paterno, the patron saint of college football, once said:

“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.”

I believe that so deeply I had it written on the wall of my company’s training room. I originally wanted to use Rule #22, but figured JoePa’s quote would require less explanation—and would offend fewer NRA opponents.

Final Word

The heart of this rule is simple: Don’t just show up with a rah-rah, “I’m a winner!” mindset. That’s not enough. Instead, walk in with the Sean Connery swagger that comes from knowing you’ve got a fully loaded Walther PPK in your pocket.

Because in life, confidence without preparation is just noise.
But confidence with preparation? That’s a weapon.

Love,
Dad