Emotional Intelligence
13 Tools to Make Your Client Communications Stronger
We all need to communicate effectively to retain clients and grow our market share. Knowing the law is not enough; we must be able to communicate clearly, empathetically, and appropriately. I present below 13 tools to make your communications stronger. It’s All in the Delivery Clients need to know and understand the many…
Read MoreIntelligence Versus Emotions: Are You Too Smart for Your Own Good?
Managers and partners time and again tell me about employees and associates who are super intelligent and yet, are not candidates for promotion. What’s holding them back? In every case, it boils down to communication issues. These folks always know the right answer, but they don’t know how to properly communicate it in a…
Read MoreBest Practices for Lawyer Managers: Managing People and Building a Practice
Being a great manager of lawyers requires a lot more skill than legal knowledge and reasoning abilities. Great leaders know how to motivate people to achieve goals over a sustained period. This requires strong emotional intelligence skills as well as a keen understanding of each team member’s legal abilities and motivators. I provide below some…
Read MoreHow to Motivate Legal Teams to Success
Being an effective law legal group leader whether in a corporation, a law firm, or the Government, requires specific skills. Leading teams to accomplish goals under stressful circumstances requires these skills and a team commitment. I provide below some of the essential traits that I learned from USPTO leaders and Directors. Is a legal…
Read More6 Core Values and 5 Emotional Intelligence Skills Leading to Sound Ethical Decisions
Ethical conduct is required in all jobs and by all organizations. It also applies to positions at all levels. Anyone can disagree with a substantive business or legal decision, but make an ethical mistake and your company, firm or individual career could be in jeopardy. This article discusses how you can use core values and…
Read More9 Critical Components of Constructive Feedback
Giving a lawyer a critique of their work can be difficult. Yet, you cannot improve lawyer performance or achieve quality work product goals without providing constructive feedback. I provide below the 9 essential elements for giving constructive feedback. Give Positive and Negative Feedback Forget the old adage “no news is good news.” …
Read More3 Questions Lawyers Should Ask Themselves Now Regarding Alcohol
Attorneys have stressful jobs and many turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication to relax. Problem drinking is much higher for attorneys than the general public. Attorneys with a drinking problem are more prone to malpractice complaints and ethical violations. This article discusses why drinking by lawyers is a big concern…
Read More3 Essential Questions for Lawyers to Conquer Their Fears
Lawyers are constantly bombarded by challenges that naturally create fear and anxiety. Many lawyers don’t recognize these fears and fail effectively to deal with them. This causes lawyers to be unhappy and to provide poor quality service to their clients. I identify many of these looming fears and present some practical tips for dealing…
Read MoreLawyer Confidence in Client Interactions and How to Handle the Uncertainties
Do you sometimes feel unsure of yourself when speaking to a client or making a presentation? Anyone who answered no is not being honest. We all feel insecure at certain times; that is human. It is impossible to know everything or anticipate every possible question. You can be more effective with clients and colleagues…
Read MoreCombatting Lawyer Burnout and Recharging Your Career
Do you feel fatigued by the long hours, demanding clients and little sleep? At points in our careers, many lawyers feel like they don’t have a life and that their work defines them. This is understandable given the demands of the job and the high fees clients pay for legal services. Yet,…
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