Baby boomers: Are you a steward for your firm’s next generation? Younger lawyers: Are your firm’s baby boomers acting as stewards for your generation?
What does it mean to be a steward for your firm’s next generation? I pondered that question in my 50s when I decided to write down my core values-how I wanted to live. I feel confident that I got the idea from reading something Stephan Covey had written.
I learned that you do not create core values, you actually discover them. Here is the list of my core values that I discovered. As you will see, being a steward for my firm’s next generation was one of them.
My Core Values
- Honesty, integrity, ethical and respectful
- Never content, a relentless search for better ways to serve “nothing fails like success”
- Always learning
- Commitment to excellent work
- Have fun
- Stewardship – hold something in trust for our next generation. Choose service over self interest
- Provide client centered service with highly trained people and maximum use of technology
- Inspire lawyers and staff and provide maximum opportunities for them
- Recognize the uniqueness of each individual and cherish differences
- Free, open and honest communication
- Family-focused, supportive with unconditional love
- Health and fitness
What does it mean to be a steward? The Bible has many discussions. Take a look at: The Bible on stewardship: key passages. When I decided to give up my law practice I wrote: Roads & Bridges Article- 3 Highway Contractors about men in my father’s generation who had been stewards for me.
Ok, I still have not specifically addressed what it means for baby boomer lawyers. Here are my thoughts:
- Teaching and mentoring
- Providing feedback
- Introducing younger lawyers to top client representatives
- Letting the next generation take the lead on a project
- Passing your clients on to the next generation
- And, finally, not feeling threatened by your change in client relationships