SAN FRANCISCO—Jerry Brown, two-time governor ofCalifornia, attributes the successes he has achieved during hissecond term to decades of experience making tough decisions,focusing and listening as a public official, during his first termas governor in the mid-1970s, then as mayor of Oakland. Brown, whowas interviewed by ULI leader and Marcus & MillichapCompany chairman, George Marcus, during akeynote session on Tuesday, mused he has learned, "it's better totake office when an economic recovery is beginning, because whenthings are going south, it's hard not to get blamed".

The key to turning obstacles into accomplishments, Brown said,is to focus on a few critical issues and to stay focused on seeingthem through, avoid getting involved in so many issues thatfollow-through becomes impossible and find the "yeses when youcan".

"You have to focus on what's important and let other things go,"said Brown, whose major achievements so far include overseeing theelimination of the state's $27 billion deficit. "You make too manyenemies if you spread yourself too thin." He also said it'svaluable to work with people with different views.