Leadership Development

We provide custom programs designed to meet the specific goals, culture and budget of each firm.  Frequently, leadership development programs include one or more of these elements:

• Assessments, such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), DiSC, and the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI)
• Leadership training
• Team and management training
• Individual coaching
• Experiential learning, including a long-term project with coaching
• Retreat keynote or skill sessions

Assessments

Leadership development begins with self awareness.  We use assessments such as MBTI, DiSC, LPI and others to provide feedback to individuals on their leadership, communication and relationship styles so that they can intentionally adapt their styles to maximize their leadership effectiveness.  We often use these tools to help teams of professionals and staff identify ways to work together better, resolve conflict and develop high performance practices.

Leadership Training

We offer a wide range of training based on proven leadership models and research.  Training is focused on helping individuals understand the attitudes, behaviors and techniques used by effective leaders in law firms and other professional organizations.  Training is often provided through a variety of methodologies, including in-person interactive workshops, online content delivery and individual project work, study and reflection.  Most effective training is conducted in workshops over a period of time, combined with individual coaching. Topics may include:

• Setting an example
• Vision
• Leading change
• Enabling others to act
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Constructive conflict
• Building effective teams
• Persuasion, power and influence
• Recognizing contributions and accomplishments
• Creating a sustainable firm

Management Training

We recognize that many attorneys and professionals benefit from management training that provides a structure and process for tasks such as:

• Leading a group meeting
• Managing and mentoring others
• Understanding firm and business financial information
• Setting goals and tracking progress

Individual Coaching

In coaching sessions, we work on developing a personal leadership plan, focused on specific goals to accomplish a particular project. Using feedback from assessments, participants chart their way to lead individuals or groups to accomplish their goals.  In coaching sessions we discuss leadership strategies, tactics and skills that can be employed to pursue these goals. Law firms are often politically charged environments, where sophisticated skills of relationship building, persuasion, influence, vision-casting, managing conflict and change leadership are required.  Coaching sessions are private, giving the participant freedom to work on the most challenging issues.

Experiential Learning

Whenever possible, we integrate a leadership project into the leadership development curriculum. Participants learn best when they have an opportunity to learn a concept, practice the skill and reflect on the experience.

High-Performance Team Building

Practice groups, client teams and staff departments engage us to help them build a high-performance team.  Methodologies vary depending on circumstances and goals of the group, but they often include self-assessments, training, experiential exercises and case study analysis. Firms with team members spread across the country or globe often seek our help to create a unified mission and sense of purpose.  We also consult with groups that struggle with performance or management issues.

Retreat Sessions

Consider one or more of these topics for your next retreat or professional development program:

• Being the leader you would follow: leadership in law firms
• Building a high-performance team
• Leadership for change:  Adaptability, Resiliency and Listening Skills
• Leading across boundaries and transitions
• Managing Millennials
• Persuasion and Influence:  Gaining Commitment and Getting Results
• Storytelling for Leaders
• Team Building for Law Firm Leaders
• The Vision Thing:  Creating a Clear, Challenging and Compelling Vision