Originally posted by Constanzia:
...you never see Michael make a mistake at any of his "business" meetings. He never talks when he shouldn't and when he should talk he does, but in a reserved and contained manner.
Forgive me for jumping into a "novel" discussion, but another striking indication of this similarity between Michael & Vito (seen in the film) is in Vegas, when Michael says to Fredo, "Don't ever take sides with anyone against the family again. Ever."
Michael was not present at the Solozzo meeting, and never heard Vito reprimand Sonny in a similar way for speaking out. He knew by instinct how to conduct himself, how to run the business. Sonny did not, and probably could never have been taught, had he lived.