dON'T EVER GET AHEAD OF YOURSELF
If you ever get cocky or declare war on a country you can't defeat, then you are just asking for trouble. That is what happened to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Don't be anti-social
You need allies to have a successful start to your country.
Don't Aimlessly spend money
Once you lose too much money, you won't be able to afford necessities for your country to function properly.
don't be a jerk to your followers
If you are self-conceded, bossy, or mean, people won't like you and will not continue to follow you.
Don't argue amongst the group
Italy had issues with this between the Northern and Southern states.If people cannot agree within the group, then you will never be able to unify and/or make progress.