What do LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Draymond Green have in common? Well, THAT, of course. But they are also all represented by Rich Paul, arguably the most driven, innovative and influential sports agent in the game. It didn't come easy. Raised in a tough Cleveland neighborhood, Paul leaned on and learned from a wise dad who provided, as Paul puts it now, a solid foundation.

But the author of the self-deprecatingly-titled memoir "Lucky Me" also learned a thing or two about the powerful, positive impact of adversity. That it might even be a necessary precondition for success. LinkedIn Editor-in-Chief Dan Roth talked to Paul about leveraging adversity, the right — and wrong — kind of ego, and what you can learn about representing superstars from ironing clothes.

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