Want to take a couple of classes that will help you get better at client development? Suppose I told you that the two I would take would be Creative Writing and Drawing. What would your reaction be?

My guess is that you would wonder what in the world either of those courses has to do with client development. The answer is those two courses will better enable you to see the big picture and better enable you to be empathetic and understand your clients’ points of view.

In November, 2018, A Florida State law student wrote: Hidden Lessons: How My Creative Writing Major Helps Me In Law School.  She pointed out many benefits from that major. Take a look and I think you will agree.

If you have a few minutes, watch this Ted Talk: How drawing helps you think.

I read “Making Rain” by Andrew Sobel a few years ago. Then about a year later I read “A Whole New Mind” by Daniel Pink. Both books in their own way focused on the importance of synthesis or symphony.

What is that, and what does it have to do with practicing law you ask? Synthesis or symphony is about how well you assimilate the pieces of information affecting your client to see the bigger picture.

To better learn that skill Daniel Pink attended a week long class in New York taught by Betty Edwards “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.”

My father was an artist. I didn’t inherit his talent. I can’t draw very well, but I owe my law career to assimilating pieces of information impacting my clients to see a bigger picture. I anticipated what would impact highway contractors before any other lawyer and before the contractors themselves saw the potential problem.

Creative writing and drawing are two skills that will enable you to see things others miss. I bet there is a community college nearby where you could take both classes.