Scott Boras: Be effective, not popular
Scott Boras with client Alex Rodriguez
Sports agent; president, Boras Corp.
In 1985, very early in my career, I had hired my former law professor at University of the Pacific to be a consultant in an arbitration case. He was a seasoned negotiator and a labor law attorney.
After completion of the negotiation -- my first multiyear major-league contract -- we went out to dinner in Chicago. [At the time, Boras was receiving attention for the record contract.] He said, "My advice to you is that you always serve the best interests of your client. An industry will change in response to you, but it won't do it willingly."
He said that if you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative. Keep your head on straight, don't get emotional, take the heat, and just make sure your clients are smiling.
--Interview by Scott Cendrowski
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