Strong leadership attracts, engages and retains talent, and it is not defined by the corner office. It happens at every level, including among new attorneys in their first position. It is the art of taking responsibility for a task, and then bringing the rest of the team with you. It creates footsteps for others to walk in, and it teaches them to leave a fresh set.
Natural or Learned?
Some people are born leaders. They persuade and influence naturally, perceive what is beneath the surface and know how to draw it out. Leadership is also a skill that can be learned, and even a natural leader falls behind without consistent learning.
Ten Ways to Lead More Effectively
- Be a person of integrity. Be honest and transparent in your dealings. Keep your word. Own your mistakes, apologize quickly, and do what you can to correct what you caused.
- Learn to listen. Give the person speaking your full attention. Whether it is a team meeting or lunch with one person, silence the devices and focus, not only on what is being said but on what is not.
- Communicate with clarity. Make sure everyone on the team has the same facts. Be specific, and ask people to tell you what they heard.
- Treat others with respect and appreciation. Put value on people with your words and your actions.
- Delegate. This is not about lightening your own workload. It is about recognizing talent and giving it room to grow, which means matching responsibility with the necessary authority and then stepping back.
- Set clear and measurable goals. An inspiring vision is not enough on its own. Build an action plan with a route and a timeline.
- Work alongside your team. They will trust you more if you spend time in the trenches.
- Designate time for the people you lead, whether that is a temporary team, a department or a whole firm. How much time per person depends on how many there are, but connect personally wherever you can.
- Take time for yourself. Leadership does not survive burnout.
- Never stop learning. Papers, conferences, classes and reading all count, and so does studying the leaders who came before you.
OnBoard Legal connects leadership talent with firms that lead. Contact us.