The differences between Michael and Vito's handling of family/Family members is clearly shown in the scene in GF1 where Michael lays out the move to Nevada. Tom is, basically, humiliated in front of key Family members. Later, Vito and Michael tell Tom the same thing in very different ways.

Vito: "Tom -- I advise Michael. I never thought you were a bad Consiglieri. I thought -- Santino

was a bad Don, rest in peace. Michael has all my confidence, as - as you do. But uh -- there

are reasons why you must have no part in what is going to happen."

Michael: "You're out, Tom."

I don't think anybody here is suggesting that Fredo be given legitimate responsibility. However, I can't help but think that had Michael learned Vito's people skills, Fredo would not have been so desperate to make a deal with "something in it for me" that he would have betrayed the family and the Family.

In that sense, Michael's unsympathetic persona could be considered a weakness.