Management Skills for Lawyers
You launched your business! Congratulations! It's likely that folks will feel ready to kick back and relax once they've gotten that obstacle out of the way and gotten their business off the ground. But wait! You've been promoted to manager of the law firm. In addition, management of your legal practice is an ongoing process that is constantly evolving and demands your full attention.
It feels like you're constantly playing that hammer-the-hedgehog game at the fair when it comes to your business. As soon as you get one aspect of your company operating smoothly, something else comes up that requires your attention. In point of fact, success in one area frequently illuminates issues in another. For instance, you'll be able to get your marketing system up and running smoothly. You suddenly find that you are unable to keep up with all the work that is pouring in, and as a result, you will need to fix your work systems. Because of this, it is absolutely necessary for you to have a strategic approach to managing your legal practice. In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to do it.
The Difference Between a Manager and a Leader in a Legal Organization
At first glance, it's not hard to believe that a remarkable leader and an excellent manager are one and the same thing. In point of fact, these two functions couldn't be more distinct from one another. Both are absolutely necessary for your company. If you have an understanding of the subtle distinctions, it will be easier for you to determine which talents you need to hone in order to be successful. Additionally, it will assist you in determining which individuals of the team might be able to fill in the gaps left by your lack of expertise.
Your organization's direction can only be determined by its leaders. "We're going to the moon," she tells the team excitedly. A manager is someone who oversees the people and processes that are required to make a vision a reality. The manager of the law firm constructs the rocket, prepares the astronauts for their missions, and launches the spaceship (ideally on time and under budget).
When you first launch your company, you will most likely serve as the only leader and manager. Pay close attention to the headgear that you are currently donning. Because of this, you will be able to think more deliberately about the capabilities you need to bring to that particular circumstance. Additionally, it is acceptable to be truthful and acknowledge areas in which your leadership and management abilities could use some improvement (everyone can improve). It is not always the case that one is born with certain abilities. Determine the areas in which you might need the most improvement, and then make it a point to consciously work on strengthening those skills.
Invest in Your Managers by Providing Them with Support and Training
As the size of your company increases, it is likely that you will require additional team members to assist in the operation of your firm. In many law companies, the practitioners are given the title of "manager" without having to go through any further training. This may present a challenge.
People are more likely to abandon their bosses than their employers. Make sure that everyone on your team who supervises other people has received proper training in management. Do not simply take it for granted that your attorneys are the ones who are naturally best prepared to handle other individuals. It is essential to have the mindset that the people you promote to management positions are your company's leaders, regardless of who you choose to fill those jobs. You have to train them on a regular basis if you want them to perform to the best of their abilities.
Managers of law firms that have received training are:
- Competent speakers and listeners. They are able to communicate effectively with their direct reports as well as the staff in order to build trust. They provide insightful feedback, which improves the production and efficiency of your company.
- Productive. They are aware of the most effective ways to carry out duties in order to drive projects forward. They are able to establish goals that are attainable and devise the plans that are necessary to do so.
- Morale enhancers. Employee morale can be improved by trained managers by increasing the confidence of those managers in their roles. They instill such confidence in the staff that they are responsible for managing.
- Happy. Those who understand how to be successful in their roles as managers of law firms are more likely to report feelings of contentment in their jobs.
How can you train the management staff of your law company to be the greatest that they possibly can be? You should try to persuade them to participate in leadership programs. These programs educate managers on a variety of management topics, including how to distribute tasks, best practices for leading a team, and more. Establish a business book club in which the managers of your team read and discuss various books on different management techniques. These kinds of programs ensure that every member of your team approaches their management responsibilities in a manner that is consistent with one another.
In addition, it is important that you provide feedback to your managers on a regular basis and that you are willing to listen to their problems and answer their inquiries. Don't be hesitant to approach the people who report directly to a management and ask for their input. When it comes to learning what's working and how they may enhance their working style, this can be an excellent method for managers to learn. Last but not least, once every three months or a year, you should review your objectives and your vision with your managers in order to assist them in better comprehending the significance of the position that they play.
