It is sometimes fashionable to make fun of Attorneys. Today I am not.
I just finished an article in Bloomberg Business Week Oct 25 – Oct 31 issue. It discussed David Boies, a successful attorney who when faced with a difficult decision made it quickly and decisively. And he made it in a way that could have cost him his career.
He represented the New York Yankees and Time Warner for his firm. When Turner Broadcasting bought Time Warner they brought to the firm another baseball team, the Atlanta Braves. This represented a conflict of interest. Because Boies did not want to leave his client the New York Yankees and because he respected his firm and did not want them to lose an important client in Turner Broadcasting, he resigned.
When the news hit the street several clients followed him and today he has a firm of over 200 attorneys.
What struck me about this was the fact that he clearly identified his conflict, and his loyalties to both the firm and his client the Yankees. He sorted his options and decided quickly in a way that kept everyone intact. And finally when word got out his clients followed. We are often faced with difficult decisions and decisions that can cost us career and or fortune. But when we act according to principals and from a place of integrity it is rare that we lose.
To read the article www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_44/b4201116312155.htm
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PS Make sure you vote. It always counts..
What struck me about this was the fact that he clearlyidentified his conflict, and his loyalties to both the firm and his client theYankees. He sorted his options and decided quickly in a way that kept everyoneintact. And finally when word got out his clients followed. We are often facedwith difficult decisions and decisions that can cost us career and or fortune.But when we act according to principals and from a place of integrity it israre that we lose.
To read the article http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_44/b4201116312155.htm
PS Make sure you vote. It always counts..
Good article, John. When I see clients struggling over decisions I often ask them to talk to me about their values and what is important to them. Often just talking about their values helps them quickly make their decision.
On the other hand I’ve always said, if you want to know what another person THINKS is important, just ask them. If you want to know what another person BELIEVES is important, just watch their actions.
Dave