Leadership for Lawyers

Leadership vs. Management

  Dr. Larry Richard and Susan Raridon Lambreth of Hildebrandt describe their view of the differences between law firm management and leadership in this Law Practice Today article.   To quote Richard and Lambreth,

"Management is about making sure that clear goals are established and then carried out, despite organizational size, number of offices, sub-specialization, and other forms of complexity. It is focused on the short-term (usually one-year increments), and depends on analytical, rational, data-based, cognitive strategies to be effective. Leadership, on the other hand, is focused on a longer time horizon (five years or more); is much more people-focused, inspirational, emotional, non-linear and visceral. To lead, you must gain buy-in and commitment. When the people you are leading are also owners of the firm, the need for buy-in is even greater."

They refer frequently to the leadership training model of Kouzes and Posner called, "The Leadership Challenge", which emphasizes five practices of leadership:

1. Model the way
2. Inspire a shared vision.
3. Challenge the process.
4. Enable others to act.
5. Encourage the heart.

I'm just now making my way through their book, but the process and five simple, but not easy, practices are a terrific model for leadership development.

Thank you, Larry and Susan, for a great article.

War for Talent: Stephanie Kane's Approach to Satisfaction

In this wonderful article Stephanie Kane tackles why many lawyers are unhappy, and what can be done about it.  Technology, client demands, peculiar personality types, lack of mentoring and high attrition all contribute to lawyer dissatisfaction.

Kane has developed a program to help lawyers not only stop digging, but get out of the hole in which they often find themselves.  Through group learning and individual coaching, attorneys can get a grip on time and energy management, develop new focus based on their strengths, learning to balance challenge and competency that leads to 'flow', creating and telling their own story, and using creative and strategic thinking to plan a new future, lawyers can find a new and satisfying path.

Stephanie's web site is www.lifeinlaw.com where she writes,

"Surviving and thriving in law today is about winning the war for talent. It’s also about creating an environment that helps both solo practitioners and lawyers in large firms address the following realities:

• The war for talent is the challenge to differentiate yourself or your firm
• Mentoring is marketing
• A happier, more rounded person is a better lawyer
• Retaining and attracting valued associates, delivering better service to clients, and preventing yourself from burning out are the same thing "

Stephanie gets it.  Check out the self-assessment on her site as well as a great list of books and other resources.  And, if you like to read great crime novels that take place in the Rocky Mountain west, check out her other web site.