Table of Contents
As a daughter of a career diplomat, Junga Kim has a lifetime of training for her role as Partner at Reed Smith’s Global Commercial Dispute Group. She has built a stellar reputation of being tough and relentless, yet fair and empathetic. As busy as life can be for a commercial litigator, Junga has consistently found time to dedicate herself to her profession and community, be it leading Reed Smith’s Women’s Initiative Network in its Southern California offices, or mentoring associates to succeed at the firm. Her professional work, combined with her personal role as a devoted mother of two, has made her an astute observer of what makes people tick. She now shares her best advice for dealing with uncertainty.
Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a series of guest posts where people from all walks of life share their best advice in times like these. A big thanks to the leaders who volunteered to share their life experiences. Reflection on the past is a deeply personal exercise. The willingness to share it with the world, especially in the written form, is a commendable act of vulnerability. For this alone, they have my deepest gratitude.
My Best Advice
“What I naively didn’t know until much later in life is that everyone’s life is filled with unpredictable twists and turns, lumps and bumps, leading to unforeseen — and often difficult and challenging — destinations. For those of us going through this, my guiding principles are accepting the need to pivot and appreciating the strength to adapt.
Pivoting from our life’s plan or goal may seem like a sign of failure or weakness but pivoting reflects great strength – the necessary strength to embrace change and adjust the course. Pivoting frees us from the shackles of rigidity, societal expectations, and pressures and allows us to adjust our sails.
We then must ride through the storm and adapt to our new path. Adaptability is the secret ingredient that empowers us to thrive amidst uncertainty. Learning to accept that there are multiple paths – straight, curved, zigzag, etc. – to our ultimate destination and learning to bend and flow with the currents liberates us from the tunnel vision that there is only a single, direct, straight route to a “successful” destination. We discover that each detour and alternative route can be even more enriching and fulfilling than the direct route. Embracing these diversions allows us to experience the richness of life’s tapestry, unveiling hidden gems and serendipitous encounters that enrich our journey.
In this ever-changing world where uncertainty is the only certainty, embracing the principles of pivoting and adaptability is akin to unlocking the doors to a boundless realm of possibilities. By surrendering our fears of change and trusting in our ability to adapt, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance and resilience, ultimately leading us to a life imbued with fulfillment, purpose and gratitude. May these insights help you step forth with open hearts, embracing life’s dance of pivots, for it is in the flow of change that our true strength and wisdom lie.”
