"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. They are [he is] the one that gets the people to do the greatest things."
- Ronald Reagan
Law firms haven’t always been on the front foot of innovation and leadership, but the space is rapidly changing. Gone are the days when Solicitors would accept mediocre work environments for the benefit of a position and place, just pushing pen and paper for the sole benefit of the firm. They expect more, and we as leaders must deliver more.
From new graduates to seasoned experienced lawyers, employees now seek out difference, innovation, and dynamic work environments. With small micro firms on the rise due to discontentment, and the great movement towards maintaining better work life balance, leaders in the legal space are needing to lead from the front and show others how things can be different, to attract and retain talent, as well as prosper financially.
The legal innovators, thought provokers and those spearheading movements, are setting examples both within their firms on a micro level and in the legal fraternity on a macro level by actively participating and taking a proactive role in guiding and inspiring others around them. These leaders are at the forefront of action, demonstrating the desired behaviours, and leading by personal example, rather than just delegating tasks.
A leader who leads from the front is actively involved in the work, showing dedication, commitment, and a strong work ethic. Inspiring others to follow suit, pushing boundaries, and implementing changes for the betterment of the firm and for individual practitioners as well as the entire legal space. This approach fosters trust, respect, and a sense of unity among team members, within the firm and the legal fraternity as a whole, as they witness the leader's willingness to tackle challenges and navigate obstacles alongside them.
Leading from the front inspires and motivates others to perform at their best and creates a culture of accountability, collaboration, and shared success. It also leads to improved probability and staff retention.
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."
- John C. Maxwell
Let us show the way for others to follow – implementation in your firm or workplace
No matter your area of practice, if you’re a micro firm, or work for a large firm, the key steps to leading from the front are the same and can be summarised in 5 key points:
1. Lead by example
“Leading by example is not the main way to influence others. It is the only way”.
- Albert Schweitzer
As a leader, it's crucial to demonstrate the behaviours and qualities you expect from your firm or those within your legal sphere. Act with integrity, work hard, exhibit a positive attitude, show dedication, resilience, and a willingness to take on challenges and to make changes to better the life of your clients, your colleagues, and your contemporaries.
Your actions will set the standard and inspire others to follow suit. Treat fellow practitioners with the kindness and understanding required to foster intelligent conversation, innovation and idea generation. In your firm do the small as well as the big tasks, sit down and brainstorm with your staff, encourage idea generation by showing them how it is done and inviting them to follow.
2. Communicate clearly
“The art of communication is the language of leadership”.
- James Humes
Effective communication is essential for leading from the front. You must clearly articulate your vision, goals, and expectations to your team and your colleagues. Be transparent and open in your communication, ensuring everyone understands their role and responsibilities. Actively listen to your team members, provide feedback, and encourage open dialogue. A collection of great minds leads to great results, and this is true for carriage of files, case strategy, the running of the firm or innovation to generally improve a sphere of practice or niche area of law.
Surrounding yourself with idea generators, positive influencers and steady compliant personalities will foster a positive and collegiate environment. A key tool in this communication process is validation: firstly, communicate your message, secondly ask them to reflect on it, and thirdly ask them to explain to you their understanding of the goals and desired outcomes. From this point you can then ask them to generate ideas and consider alternative options and outcomes that could better the process, the environment or the outcome. This will ensure that the team works to your vision and optimum outcomes are achieved.
3. Build relationships
“Relationships are based on four principles: respect, understanding, acceptance and appreciation”.
- Mahatma Gandhi
Leading from the front requires you to develop strong relationships within your team. Get to know your fellow colleagues personally and professionally, understand their strengths, and provide support and mentorship as required. Part of this process is to identify their key areas of interest, what intrigues them, their comfortable (and uncomfortable) spaces, as well as their key areas for improvement and growth personally and professionally.
It is about building professional trust relationships, by being accessible, approachable and understanding- all whilst asking them to push themselves, to discover new passions and to grow personally. Building relationships of trust, respect, and appreciation within the firm/workplace, or within your sphere of practice will foster a collaborative and inclusive environment. Colleagues and staff will feel valued and empowered to contribute. Staff satisfaction will rise, retention will increase and thus profitability will flow. Building relationships is key to the role of being a leader, as when you lead you are inspiring others to follow you and creating space for their growth and innovation – making way for the future.
4. Delegate and empower
“Empowerment is not about giving people power; it’s about creating an environment where their power can flourish”.
- Ken Blanchard
Leading from the front also requires leaders to trust in the members of the team. As a leader you must allocate responsibilities to them and empower them to make decisions, as well as rewarding positive contributions they make in response. A true leader will build a relationship with their team members or colleagues and from this, be in a position to identify their strengths and provide them with the necessary resources to support their growth and achieve success.
This will in turn empower them to show initiative, while under your guidance. An empowered team environment leads to collegiality, innovation, thought provocation and pride, and ownership of their work. This fosters an environment with a growth mindset and allows people to challenge the status quo and adapt to create better workflows, better work environments, and increase satisfaction.
5. Continuous growth and learning mindset
“Leadership is a journey of continuous growth and self-improvement”.
- Simon Sinek
The final and most important element of leading from the front is staying committed to your own growth journey as a leader. As leaders in the field, we should seek opportunities for self-improvement, attend relevant training or workshops, and stay updated with industry trends. We should also engage with professionals outside of our sphere of practice to broaden our exposure and understanding. We should maintain the growth and innovation mindset, push boundaries and challenge the status quo. Encourage a learning culture within your team by promoting professional development and providing opportunities for skill enhancement. Leading from the front requires adaptability and a willingness to evolve ourselves and showing those around us how it should be done.
By following these steps, you can lead from the front, inspiring and guiding your team to achieve their best results while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
