Adaptive Skills To Change Are Critical

The only constant in life is change. I sent a video to my alma mater, The University of California, Berkeley's Class of 2020, sympathizing with them on the postponement of their graduation due to the coronavirus pandemic. I can relate to their disappointment because my graduating Class of 1970, had our commencement ceremony cancelled as a response to the invasion of Cambodia by President Nixon at the height of the Vietnam War. Campus was shut down and classes were moved off all over campus. There were also major demonstrations against the ROTC happening all over Berkeley. Officials feared that a large graduation ceremony would erupt into demonstrations.

Fast-forward to 2020, and our 50-Year Class Reunion has been cancelled, go figure. Even with all the best planning and good intentions, situations can go awry due to situations that are out of our control. We never really know what the results of these changes will be so flexibility and adaptive skills are key.

In 1974, I graduated from Berkeley's law school and took the California Bar. Exam I had a series of job offers in corporate litigation and was leaning towards joining the Alameda County District Attorneys Office because I wanted to have courtroom experience. But first, I set out to travel the world, figuring that it might not be possible once I get into my career. I traced all the antecedents of our civilization--first to Italy for city of Rome and its art. Then to Greece for the formation of democracy and philosophy, and on to Israel for the foundations of three of the great religions. 

I had always been fascinated with Egyptology and headed to Egypt to see the pyramids and Valley of Princes and Princesses. The Yom Kippur War was the previous Fall and my travelling companions were reticent to go to Egypt with Jewish last names, so I traveled alone. I befriended a family with younger kids that had a sailboat and we went for a trip on the Nile River. It was a blistering hot day.The kids jumped in to swim and so did I. Only later did I realize that the Nile was not exactly safe, and disease was in the waters. I traveled down to Thebes. Even though I didn't feel well, I managed to see the sights - no guts no glory. The next stop was London. 

When I arrived in London and was sick for a week with no energy in a hostel, a friend found me and took me to Central Middlesex Hospital. They immediately put me in isolation. Later, I was transferred to another hospital in London and was kept there for five weeks while they tried to get control over my health. I enjoyed watching British television and reading their tabloids.

I had left on the trip weighing 170 lbs. When I arrived back in Los Angeles, my Dad was shocked. I had no idea what my weight was because they measured in stones. When my Dad weighed me, I was 128 lbs and very weak. It was clear that I could not accept one of the legal offers and needed to recuperate. As late Fall turned to Winter, I started to gain strength. I had been a graduate counselor in one of the dorms at Cal. The freshman football team was moved into the dorm including the Quarterback Steve Bartkowski. Overtime, Bartkowski and I became friendly.

Barkowski became the very first player picked overall in the 1975 draft, going to the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL Draft was in January that year. Steve asked me to represent him and we were able to obtain the largest rookie contract in history. That relationship started a 46-year career as a sports attorney. You can never completely anticipate the road that upsetting change will take you on, but your ability to be flexible and spot the opportunity in changed circumstances will serve you well.