As a lawyer, you’re a leader, whether you work in a solo practice, as a first year associate, or partner in a large firm. It’s your job to take the lead with clients, support staff, and even the court.
But leadership doesn’t always come naturally, even for the most brilliant lawyers. It’s a skill that must be practiced, developed. Here are seven ways to switch from being just a good lawyer to becoming a great leader:
Build a Team That’s Smarter Than You: You’re only as good, and as smart, as your team. You want your paralegal to catch each and every mistake, your interns to come up with insightful research, your associate counsel to recommend brilliant approaches. Don’t worry, you won’t be out shone.
Interact With Staff: Avoid becoming the “man behind the curtain” – or the boss locked in the corner office. Too much distance isn’t good for leadership. Take quality time to interact with and get to know your staff on an individual level. The more you can understand what makes them tick, the better you can utilize their skills.
Innovate – or at Least Consider Innovations: Leaders plan for the future. Stay up on industry trends, consider legal innovations, and be open to experimentation. Your ambition and energy will rub off on your team.
Analyze Mistakes and Successes: Part of planning for the future is understanding the past. Take time to reflect on what goes successfully in your practice and where things go wrong. Make sure you apply those lessons to your future endeavors.
Mentor: Good leaders pass their skills on. You don’t have to develop a formal mentorship, but having someone to take under your wing can improve the abilities of your team, build loyalty, and make you a better leader.
Related Resources:
- Crucibles of Leadership (Harvard Business Review)
- 5 Tips: How to Give Employee Performance Reviews (FindLaw’s Strategist)
- 3 Tips for Delegating Without Micromanaging (FindLaw’s Strategist)
- Best Practices for Bringing on Associate Counsel (FindLaw’s Strategist)
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