The polarization highlighted by this week's midterm elections reminded me how leading a law firm in these divisive times can be a minefield. Trying to create a consensus (about any number of issues) presents huge - potentially existential - challenges to law firm leaders and partners.
But there are tangible steps leaders can take to acknowledge internal division and show respect to their colleagues while also protecting the bottom line.
The cost of higher education has continued to climb and with it, the cost of law school. As a result, the amount of debt that many law school graduates hold at the start of their careers has risen to an average of over $115,000 according to Law School Transparency, a non-profit organization. This burden of debt is significant for all who experience it, and it can cause significant financial stress and anxiety for attorneys of color.
Read MoreThe PD Providers Network, a group of consultants who serve the legal industry, met recently to discuss the transition from the all-remote teams of the COVID-19 era to the inevitable mix of remote and in-person teams. They offer the following communications and planning tips to help firm leaders, managers, and employees navigate this transition with success.
People don’t come with user manuals - but what if they could?
During a recent podcast discussing human interactions that often trip us up, psychologist Adam Grant made a point that rings oh-so-true in my line of work: People don’t come with user manuals. When messages get mixed (or ignored entirely), the consequences can range from mild annoyance with a colleague to a botched deal for a new client. Beyond the business consequences, think about all the energy and time we waste trying to figure out how other people work.
Read MoreFor many lawyers, imposter syndrome is a source of intolerable stress.
It is easy to blame chronic stress on deadlines, long hours and the high-stakes nature of lawyers’ work. But for many, the most intolerable stress is due to imposter syndrome — the belief that you are not competent enough in the work you do (or want to do), combined with a fear of being discovered as a fraud.
By Neha Sampat, Esq.
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