James J. Kaufman, Attorney, Former Judge, Businessman, and Author of The Collectibles and The Concealers

Interview with James J. Kaufman, Attorney, Former Judge, Businessman, and Author of The Collectibles and The Concealers 

Invisible Mentor: James J. Kaufman
Company Name: The Kaufman Group, Ltd.
Website: http://jamesjkaufman.com, http://www.thekaufmangroupltd.com 

Part One: Introduction

Avil Beckford: In a couple of sentences, tell me a little bit about yourself.

James J. Kaufman: I am an attorney who has practiced law for over thirty-five years, was judge for fourteen years, interim CEO of Riveria Yachts of the Americas, an Australian company doing business in 29 countries, and Chairman and CEO of The Kaufman Group, Ltd., a strategic turnaround company. I am now an author, having written The Collectibles, my first novel and The Concealers, book two of the The Collectibles trilogy. I live with my wife in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Avil Beckford: What’s a typical day like for you?

James J. Kaufman:  I write in the mornings, review my work, and attend to emails, telephone calls and other business and charity work in the afternoon. Then I work out, have dinner with my wife, talk to my family and friends, and read or watch TV.

Avil Beckford: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

James J. Kaufman: Actually, my task is to not be over-motivated. I have been blessed with an ample amount of energy, driven by multiple interests and an oversized curiosity, with an inherent drive to accomplish my goals. Probably my greatest motivation is responding those who need my help and being encouraged by the challenges I face and the successes I have been fortunate enough to achieve.

Avil Beckford: If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you now know, what would you do differently?

James J. Kaufman:  I would have applied to Yale and then Harvard MBA. I would have bought some real estate in New York City and I would have learned Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese early on, knowing what I know now.

Avil Beckford: Tell me about your big break and who gave you.

James J. Kaufman:  I don’t think I’ve had a big break in the context in which I think you ask the question. I’ve had more than my share of good fortune. For me, my first break, if you will, was having two wonderful role models in my parents, and to be married to a woman with whom I still remain hopelessly in love. Happily married, with successful and happy grown children, and grandchildren, and having been able to accomplish what I have set out to do, and realize my dreams – those are the biggest breaks I can imagine.

Part Two: Career

Avil Beckford: How did mentors influence your life?

James J. Kaufman: I’ve been blessed to have several mentors. Each taught me the value of meaningful relationships. They invited me into their lives and minds, allowing me to see what they actually do, how they do it, and what their priorities were. For example, I remember when I was just about to become a judge, one of my judicial mentors told me, “If you are going to be a judge – be the judge.” A message shared by other mentors was, “Work hard, trust my instincts, follow my internal compass and my core values systems.” What I observed in my mentors were men and women who had the courage to do what they thought was right and make the right decisions.

Avil Beckford: An invisible mentor is a unique leader you can learn from by observing them from a distance. In that capacity, what is one piece of advice that you would give to others?

James J. Kaufman: I would tell them to reach out to others, find their intrinsic worth, their bright side; to encourage them, help them and empower them through teaching and earning their trust, to do the best they can with what they have, and to follow their dreams. I would remind them to say, “I love you” when they do, and I would tell them to live each day with the realization that they may never get a chance to do that again.

Avil Beckford: What kind of leader are you? What’s your leadership philosophy?

James J. Kaufman: I would consider myself a strong, and unless otherwise required, quiet leader who is unafraid to delegate.  I lead by example, candor and clarity of vision and direction. Above all, I believe in integrity, trust, and the importance of a positive attitude. “How to” instead of “why not”.

Avil Beckford: What big steps did you take to succeed in your field? What is one step or action you have consistently taken that has contributed the most to your success?

James J. Kaufman:  I sought the best education I could, and have continued to educate myself by all means available. I have consistently strived to actively listen to others, learn from them, and face self-imposed, new challenges for the rest of my life. I’ve worked as hard as I can and I never quit.  As soon as I become successful in one arena, I move the goalposts, create a bigger scale. If I had to choose one action that I have consistently taken, that has contributed to my success, it has been and continues to be my desire to deal with everyone with clarity, dignity, respect, and above all honesty.

Part Three: Life

Avil Beckford: Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?

James J. Kaufman:  My biggest failure occurred in my first year in law school. I received high grades except in one course, which I failed. It was a lecture-only course and there were no books.  The Dean asked me why I failed. I told him I thought I had a hearing problem – that I had trouble hearing that particular professor, with his back to the class as he wrote on the blackboard. In those days, many law schools admitted men only, and did not want students with any disabilities. He told me there was no place in his law school for a student with a hearing problem. That was a lot of years ago.

I had never failed at anything before, and I was advised by everyone at the time to forget my dream of being a trial lawyer, and accept reality. Fortunately, I decided to chase my dream and I did not accept their advice. I was fitted with hearing aids, found another law school, excelled there, and went on to have an amazing career as a lawyer, judge, businessman, and now an author.

The lesson I learned was to take a disability and turn it into a strength. If you can’t hear well, get help and listen harder, chase your dreams, have faith in yourself, and the courage to face adversity.  Find a way.

Avil Beckford: What’s one of the toughest decisions you’ve had to make and how did it impact your life?

James J. Kaufman:  Actually, the toughest decision I ever had to make was what I just talked about – to have the courage to go forward, against the advice of everybody I knew at the time and trusted – who were telling me it couldn’t be done. I believe that my determination and faith in God and myself was rewarded by whatever success I’ve achieved. I continue to try to help others in any way I can, especially those with special challenges.

Avil Beckford: What are three events that helped to shape your life?

James J. Kaufman:

1. Growing up in a small, rural town in upstate New York watching my father, an old-fashioned family doctor, and my mother, his nurse, be a wonderful dad and mom, always helping others.
2. Sharing life with my wife, whose love and support have been critically essential to the development of my several careers, achieving expertise and accomplishing whatever I have.
3. The third event in shaping my life would be the blessing of two wonderful children and our grandchildren, together with my extended family and so many wonderful friends and clients. 

Avil Beckford: What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?

James J. Kaufman: I think the thing I am proudest of is having the love, trust and respect of my family, friends, clients, business associates and peers. As an attorney, I’ve received the highest ratings my peers could give, I’ve never had a complaint from a client, never been reversed on appeal as a judge. Looking back, having my wife, children and grandchildren feel proud of me – that’s my biggest accomplishment.

Avil Beckford: What are five life lessons that you have learned so far?

James J. Kaufman:

1. The strength of the truth, the need for trust and the importance of having the right approach and attitude.
2. Treating everyone with respect and dignity, even if you disagree with his or her position.
3. Gratitude. Remembering to say thank you.
4. The importance of active listening.
5. Never be afraid to fail, but always be afraid not to try. 

Avil Beckford: If trusted friends could introduce you to five people (living or dead) that you’ve always wanted to meet, who would you choose? And what one question you would you say to them?

James J. Kaufman:  Churchill, Gandhi, Lincoln, Mark Twain and Jesus. As far as what I would say to them: I’d thank them for taking the time to talk to me, and I’d ask them the same questions you are asking me.

Avil Beckford: Which one book had a profound impact on your life? What was it about this book that impacted you so deeply?

James J. Kaufman:  There are so many. One book that comes to mind is Selected Essays by Michel de Montaigne, particularly the essays on friendship. That had a great impact because of my believe in the importance of great relationships; it helped shape my fundamental views about what to expect in enduring friendships and relationships, and what really makes them work.

Avil Beckford: You are one of the 10 finalists on the reality show, So, How Would You Spend Your Time? Each finalist is placed on different deserted islands for two years. You have a basic hut on the island and all the tools for survival; you just have to be imaginative and inventive when using them. You are allowed to take five books, one movie and one music CD, and whatever else you take has to fit in one suitcase and a travel on case. What would you take with you and how would you spend the time? The prize is worth your while and at this stage in the game there really aren’t any losers among the 10 finalists, since each are guaranteed at least $2 million.

Two Years

James J. Kaufman:  I would explore the island and it’s adjoining waters, underneath and in the caves and everywhere else. I would use the tools to assure that I had an ample supply of food and water and protection from the elements or any other unforeseen threats. I would take along solar powered equipment, and I would fish, hunt, and use an inflatable boat. I’d spend my time eating, drinking, sleeping, communicating with others (by sat phone with a portable hand current generator); spend time making practical, useful things and also art. I’d train animals, birds and other creatures to be my friends and communicate with me, build a windmill, and try to figure out how to make a record of all this – so that I could write a book someday.

Five Books

James J. Kaufman:

I would take:

1. The Bible
2. Scrapbook of pictures of my family and friends.
3. Walking the Amazon, which had to do with survival on a remote island I would throw that in.
4. Robinson Crusoe
5. A book on what to eat and what not to eat. 

Avil Beckford: When you have some down time, how do you spend it? How do you nurture your soul?

James J. Kaufman: My best down time is spent laughing and sharing life with family and friends. I love to read, watch movies, go boating, fishing, sit on my back porch and study the wildlife on our pond. All of these things are important, and the value of family and friends, and helping others, and the relationships which ensue – all nurture my soul.

Avil Beckford: Complete the following, I am happy when…..

James J. Kaufman: I am happy when:  I get a call from someone with a tough problem that needs me; I exceed my expectations of myself; I’m with my wife, my family, and having a casual dinner with friends; anytime I boat in the Caribbean or Greek Islands, or travelling in Italy; I receive letters from my readers – telling me they love my books and that their reading them changed their way of looking at life; I’m eating an ice cream bar; I’m speaking to a group that is really into the subject; and I’m happy each day, and thankful that I’m here to enjoy it.

Books by James J. Kaufman

The Collectibles, Book I of The Collectibles Trilogy (My review)

The Concealers, Book 2 of The Collectibles Trilogy (My Review)

The author may be reached at: jamesjkaufman.com; [email protected]; [email protected] or by visiting DownstreamPublishing.com, or writing to [email protected]; and visiting TheKaufmanGroupLTD.com

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Author Bio: Avil Beckford, an expert interviewer, entrepreneur and published author is passionate about books and professional development, and that's why she founded The Invisible Mentor and the Virtual Literary World Tour to give you your ideal mentors virtually in the palm of your hands by offering book reviews and book summaries, biographies of wise people and interviews of successful people.

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