Are you a junior partner developing your practice? If so, you might listen to a Delegating and Supervising Podcast you can download from iTunes on how I delegated and supervised a star associate who worked for me. Why is delegating and supervising so important? Put simply, without younger lawyers providing excellent work, no matter how… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Motivation
Subscribe to Motivation RSS FeedHow to Get Started with Your Client Development Efforts
Posted in Client Development, MotivationI think that many young lawyers find client development daunting. A few years ago, I gave a presentation to new partners at a firm who at the end were likely overwhelmed. Their firm had given me two hours to give an overview. By the end I am sure many of the young partners wondered where… Continue Reading
How to turn “Is That All There Is” into a “Rocky Mountain High”
Posted in Career Development, MotivationAs you likely know, I love music in part because of the emotion and the story in the song. A few weeks ago I posted: Life Lessons I Learned from Harry Chapin. I rarely receive emails about posts, but I received 10 that day. I even received a telephone call from a lawyer who shares… Continue Reading
I Can’t Light Your Fire for Very Long
Posted in MotivationI have heard from several lawyers that I am a “motivational” speaker. A few years ago, the ABA Young Lawyers Division asked me to speak at their spring meeting. Specifically I was told that my task was to “motivate” the young lawyers attending the meeting. They chose the title of my presentation: COME ON BABY… Continue Reading
I Used My Biggest Fear to Motivate Me
Posted in MotivationNot all lawyers admit it, but every lawyer is afraid at some point in his or her career. For some, the fear is crippling. For others the fear is overcome. For me, my fear motivated me. Now that I am coaching lawyers, I prefer to coach those who are afraid far more than those who… Continue Reading
Are You Limiting Yourself: Some Good 19th Century Motivation Talk
Posted in MotivationI had a coaching session last week with an outstanding young associate who will soon become a partner. We were focused on her plan for 2011. I asked for her to share her goals with me. One goal she shared was the amount of business she thought she could bring in from her own clients…. Continue Reading
Finding the Passion for Your Niche Practice
Posted in MotivationCraig Martin is a Lamson Dugan and Murray lawyer I coach from Omaha. I particularly enjoy working with Craig because he is so interested in learning. I believe he has listened to all my podcasts, including ones in the archive. If you want to listen you can go to this website and listen or download… Continue Reading
Find Your Passion: Get Involved in Your Community
Posted in MotivationMany of you are like me in that you went to law school with the idea that as a lawyer you would be able to help people and make a difference in your community. Then you started your law practice with a firm and rarely have the feeling that you are actually helping people and… Continue Reading
Bonuses for Hours: I Believe a Comment Makes My Point
Posted in MotivationOn Monday I suggested that giving bonuses based on billable hours is counterproductive and is actually a de-motivator. You get what you reward. When you reward billable hours you get more billable hours and you give a direct message that associates should focus on billable hours. I received a comment from Anon that shows how… Continue Reading
What REALLY Motivates Your Associates?
Posted in MotivationIn my post yesterday, I shared that a carrot and stick approach with bonuses based on hours billed is not a great motivator. An associate wrote me and said she agreed, but also asked that I share with senior lawyers what actually does motivate associates and how to tap into it. As you will see… Continue Reading