Frank Carone, NYC’s Political Powerhouse, Reveals the Shocking Truth About Power and Negotiation

What if everything you’ve worked for your business, your reputation, your legacy could unravel because of something you don’t even realize you’re doing?

The host of The Deep Wealth Podcast and post-exit entrepreneur Jeffrey Feldberg speaks with Frank Carone, who has seen it happen.

From the courtroom to City Hall, from boardrooms to billion-dollar deals, Carone’s career has placed him at the nexus of law, politics, and high-stakes negotiation. As Chief of Staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Frank wasn’t just a gatekeeper, he was a power broker operating behind the scenes, where real decisions get made.

“I’ve sat across the table from billionaires, political titans, and founders who built empires,” Frank shares. “And the number one killer of success I’ve witnessed? Ego. Not incompetence. Not lack of capital. Ego.”

The Real Saboteur Isn’t Failure — It’s You

It’s easy to blame failure on market timing, a bad hire, or a competitor who outmaneuvered you. But Frank is adamant: the downfall usually begins within.

“We don’t like to admit it. But the more successful we become, the more susceptible we are to believing our own hype,” Frank says. “Ego tricks you into thinking you’re always the smartest person in the room. That’s when you stop listening. That’s when things break.”

Frank recounts a deal involving a nine-figure acquisition. Everything was aligned — until one party refused to concede a minor clause out of principle. “It wasn’t the clause. It was the ego. That one moment of ‘I need to win’ cost millions, months, and massive opportunity.”

From the Streets to the Power Suite

Before politics, Frank cut his teeth as a trial lawyer in Brooklyn. The courtroom sharpened his instincts — but it was his background growing up in East New York that shaped his worldview.

“Where I’m from, you learn to read people real fast. You learn how to keep your cool in heated situations. That became my superpower later on — staying calm when everyone else was reacting.”

That calm, paired with relentless preparation, is what made Frank indispensable to Mayor Eric Adams. It’s also what makes him a sought-after advisor today to founders, family offices, and leaders navigating complex deals.

The Hidden Currency of Influence

According to Frank, most leaders misunderstand how power actually works.

“People think power is control. That it’s about being louder, tougher, or more aggressive,” he says. “But true influence comes from humility, not dominance.”

Frank explains that when you walk into a negotiation trying to prove yourself, you’ve already lost. “The loudest person in the room usually has the least leverage. Real power is quiet. It listens. It disarms. It makes the other side feel heard.”

One of Frank’s most effective tools in negotiation? Silence.

“If you can tolerate silence, you own the room,” he shares. “Most people rush to fill space. But silence creates pressure. It makes people reveal things.”

Ego and the Exit Trap

For founders, ego can be especially lethal during a business exit.

Frank has advised entrepreneurs preparing to sell, scale, or step away from their companies. The common thread? An identity crisis.

“They’ve wrapped their self-worth into the business. So when it’s time to let go, the ego kicks in. They second-guess offers, sabotage deals, or alienate key people. All because they can’t separate who they are from what they built.”

Frank’s advice to founders preparing for an exit is blunt but powerful: “If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business. You own a job.”

Letting go isn’t just about operations — it’s about ego. And if that inner work isn’t done in advance, the exit won’t feel like freedom. It’ll feel like death.

Building a Legacy Without Burning Bridges

Frank’s worldview shifted dramatically during his time in public service.

“You realize how short life is. How little time you have to make real impact. So you stop wasting energy on needing to be right — and start focusing on doing what’s right.”

That philosophy now guides his work as a strategic advisor. Whether he's helping a CEO navigate a crisis, a founder prep for acquisition, or a political figure handle media scrutiny, his approach is consistent:

1. Check your ego at the door.

2. Listen more than you speak.

3. Lead with empathy, not authority.

“There’s no shortage of smart people. What’s rare is self-awareness,” Frank says. “If you have the courage to face your blind spots, you can go further than you ever imagined.”

A Final Warning to Entrepreneurs

As the episode winds down, Frank delivers a direct warning to ambitious leaders:

“Success doesn’t expose your strengths. It exposes your weaknesses. If your ego is hiding in the background, success will drag it into the spotlight. And if you’re not ready, it’ll wreck everything you built.”

But there’s good news.

“You don’t have to let ego destroy you,” he says. “You can choose to outgrow it. You can choose to lead differently.”

And for those who do, the rewards aren’t just financial — they’re deeply personal.

“You gain peace. You gain trust. You gain the ability to build something bigger than yourself.”

Listen Now to Frank Carone, NYC’s Political Powerhouse, Reveals The #1 Killer of Success (Hint: It’s Not What You Think).

While you’re at it, take your success to the next level and subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast.

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