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Secrets of Successful Careers for Lawyers: Finding
Your Core Purpose & Strengths
By: Dr. Maynard Brusman
Why are some people promoted to positions that bring out the best
in them, while their peers, who are equally talented, get left
behind in positions that do not allow them to flourish? Are there
secrets to a rewarding and satisfying career in the corporate or
legal world?
According to Gallup research, only twenty percent of people are
working in jobs that provide them the opportunity to excel in what
they do best.
Since we spend so many of our waking
hours working, shouldn’t
we try to make that time rewarding and fulfilling? Unfortunately,
many of us feel trapped in mediocre careers and place the blame
on poor company or law firm leadership and lack of opportunities.
In these situations, daily work becomes a grind when we cannot
apply our strengths into our work.
Do we then change jobs or move on to another company or law firm?
Why change seats on board the Titanic? The key to career fulfillment
and success lies within you. It is up to you to find out where
your passion lies and how you can become successful no matter where
you are.
In spite of having a degree of success at your job, even at the
executive level, there may be times when you may experience dissatisfaction
or emptiness. This happens when you come to a mid-career point,
a life transition or crisis, or when a promotion or becoming partner
does not materialize. You begin to ask yourself if there truly
is meaning in the work that you do.
Earlier in your career life, career choices were probably easier
to make as it was clearer which options were advantageous. At that
point in time, you probably plotted your ascent up the corporate
or law firm ladder and went after career enhancing goals.
However, by the time you reach mid-career, the ladder has moved
quite a bit. With flatter organizational structuring and more difficulty
becoming partner, it can be challenging to know how to make the
right career moves.
You Are in Charge
No one manages your career but you and you must rely on yourself
as your own guide, even if you are fortunate enough to have a trusted
mentor.
Most professionals have already moved between a few organizations
by the time they reach mid-career points. This may be due to company
or law firm upheavals, downsizing, or mergers and acquisitions.
With each change comes reflection on the next strategy required
to sustain a long and successful career.
Complicating anyone’s career
landscape is the fact that people change jobs and organizations
more frequently than in the past. Executive turnover is at an
all-time high. According to an international study conducted
on 484 corporations by Drake Beam Morin, a management consultancy
firm, 58 percent of large and medium-size companies changed CEOs
between the years 1998 and 2001. The median tenure of CEOs is
now 2.75 years, down a year from 1999. Only 12 percent of CEOs
have held their position for 10 years or longer.
Low-performing companies have nearly twice the number of turnovers
among top-performing employees as high-performing companies, according
to the consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide.
Career choices are no longer simple, and career paths seem to
be varied and unpredictable. There are many forks in the road,
and one wrong turn can mean years of waiting for the next opportunity
to come along.
The fact is that if you are an ambitious executive you are most
likely going to move through more jobs within a decade as compared
to an executive thirty years ago.
The average professional with 35 years of work experience has
worked for over six different companies throughout his or her career.
However, those with only ten years of experience have on average
been employed in four companies already. This will continue to
occur as companies are increasingly rigorous about cost management
and efficiency measures.
There is no safety net. Your individual career is becoming as
complex as the business environment. While companies and law firms
are becoming more sophisticated and creative in their quest to
attract and retain talent, issues of incentives, compensation and
opportunities also become increasingly complex.
Career success is not achieved easily as it requires investment
of time, effort, focus, emotional intelligence and some personal
sacrifices. Those attaining the highest levels of professional
success report being more satisfied with their jobs, their lifestyle,
their compensation, and the balance in their lives.
Three Core Questions
The factors that form the core of career success lie in the answers
to these three questions:
• Who are you, and what are your core values?
• What is your core purpose?
• What are you trying to do with your life?
Those people who experience high levels of success in their careers
state that there is an alignment in what they do with who they
are. They somehow manage to attain that magic blend of their purpose
in life with what they do in their jobs.
The power of these questions lies in
the power of purpose. The search
for one’s purpose is important
but it is by no means an easy task. Many of us spend our lifetime
searching for our true purpose. We all seek meaning in life.
Everyone wants to leave footprints. Yet finding and clearly defining
what that is can be elusive.
A mission or purpose is the contribution
you make to the world; it is that which gives meaning and direction
to your life, as well as your reason for being. Knowing
your purpose gives you a context for making life choices. A vision
is a powerful image of what you want to create in the future.
It is a compelling and explicit picture of how you will actualize
your purpose and talents. Values define what is most important
to you. They energize, motivate and inspire. According to Chris
Argyris, it is important to recognize the difference between “espoused values” (what you say you believe)
and “values-in-action” (how you live your life). True
professionals commit themselves to the pursuit of happiness and
strict adherence to their highest values (David Maister, True Professionalism).
Vision, mission and values need to be aligned.
The Power of Purpose & Energy
Many experts believe that we can identify our purpose by looking
within ourselves. Regardless of our spiritual or philosophical
beliefs, most people agree that when we act in alignment with our
strengths, talents and desires, there is a sense of heightened
energy and flow. Therefore, when our purpose is aligned with our
vocation, we become more driven and motivated in our lives. Work
no longer becomes a chore but rather an enjoyment, reflected through
our expressions and behavior.
The key to acting with purpose is to
connect the needs of the world, legal profession, or business
to our unique talents in the form of a vocation – a calling.
We apply our talents and passion to the tasks that we perform.
At this juncture, work becomes a way of actively making a contribution
to the world or society.
Without purpose in our lives or without knowing what that is,
work lacks direction and joy for us. Many of us aspire to be recognized
and to be able to contribute.
Unfortunately for many of us, we only
detect this need in ourselves after we experience some level
of crisis—an illness, death,
divorce or losing our jobs—and only then are we forced to
pay attention to finding purpose.
Ambition isn’t Sufficient
For lawyers to really excel in their work, they need more than
just ambition. Satisfying goals, winning cases, reaching billable
hour requirements, receiving rewards and compensation and attaining
status is rarely enough. We must be connected to our core values
and intrinsic motivators in order to be truly fulfilled. Determining
what our internal drives are is not an easy task. Most of the time
we require a professional coach or a career coach to assist us
in our quest.
The mid-career phase may also be a time for reassessment with
some of the evaluation measures available through human resources
or coaching organizations. Even if assessments have already been
administered earlier in a career, it is wise to update your self-knowledge.
The Tools for Self-Knowledge
Here are a few types of assessment tools which you can use to
know yourself and your strengths better:
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Strong Campbell Interest Inventory
• 16 PF
• FIRO-B
• NEO PI-R (big five personality traits)
• Reiss 16 Basic Psychological Needs
• DISC & PIAV
• Emotional intelligence assessments
• CPI 260
• Multi-rater 360-degree feedback tools
Although there are many formal ways in which you can discover
your strengths, reflections on your past successes are excellent
starting points. Make a list of when you are at your best at work.
What activities do you love doing, and what makes you so engrossed
that you lose track of time?
Similarly, you can also identify areas in which you struggle,
and therefore discover where your weaknesses lie. It may be best
to delegate or restructure your responsibilities when you encounter
areas where you are weak.
Research shows that emphasizing strengths instead of working on
weaknesses is the key to performance improvement. Not coincidentally,
that same key is also useful in sustaining career success and satisfaction.
Finding Your Core Strengths
Your strengths—whether they are problem solving, intuition,
inspiring action, relationship building, altruism or a keen analytical
mind—are your natural appetites. You will find a way to express
these strengths no matter what position you are in. Since your
strengths and natural talents are reinforced positively whenever
you use them, this leads to a powerful and confident feeling.
Most law professionals gravitate into legal positions where they
can use their strengths frequently, so that they can shine naturally.
But what happens when you are recognized for your strengths, and
asked to apply these same strengths to a new position? The same
strengths may not work as well under new conditions or in different
situations. It may be tempting to accept a new job opportunity,
even though it is not in your best interests because it does not
emphasize your strengths.
The key to sustaining personal success
is by knowing and understanding which legal position and roles
will allow you to utilize your assets and which will not. You
have to say “no” to opportunities
if you won’t be able to use your natural talents, even when
a new position appears to be challenging and offers possibilities
for growth and development.
This requires us not only to recognize and identify our strengths
and to seek opportunities to express them, but also to understand
our weaknesses and to avoid being involved in roles that are not
our forte. This can be difficult. Nobody likes to turn down a promotion
or a challenge. We even relish opportunities to overcome weaknesses
in order to prove ourselves capable. But to sustain career success,
you must wisely turn down positions that will not bring out the
best in you.
To accept such challenges will only leave you feeling drained
and unfulfilled. Sure, you may be able to stretch yourself, but
it is better to focus on your strengths and develop them, rather
than fight to overcome a weakness.
Stop Doing What You Don’t Like!
Career success is more like sculpting and editing, rather than
accumulating or building.
“Discover what you don’t like doing and stop doing
it!” – Marcus Buckingham, The One Thing You Need to
Know (2005)
According to research from The Gallup
Organization and Marcus Buckingham, it does not make sense to
stretch yourself with new and challenging assignments, or even
to balance your life, if it involves doing things that you don’t
have an affinity for. Buckingham contends that you will not feel
energized when you focus on your flaws.
Some legal professionals will protest
and defend the common belief that you don’t have to like the law—you just have to
be good at it. Others will insist
that you can’t choose your
work, and you certainly can’t avoid the things that are difficult;
you must take the grit with the good.
Attorneys who are already successful are where they are because
they have had the courage to choose their work wisely. They are
unwilling to tolerate aspects of their job which do not allow them
to flourish, and they also seek ways to delegate or avoid certain
tasks.
Of course, you must pitch in and work to support colleagues in
some aspects that are not ideal for you. The point is simply that
you will contribute the most as an individual performer or as a
team member when your role closely matches your strengths. It is
your responsibility to try to arrange your work world so that it
does.
The longer you put up with aspects
of your work that don’t
play to your strengths, that are not aligned with your core values
and purpose, the less successful you will be.
When you focus on your best talents and what you love to do, you
will achieve more. You will experience sustained career success.
You will find that your career path is exactly where it should
be, on purpose, and aligned with who you are.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
In the increasingly demanding world lawyers face; many lawyers
desire to achieve professional success, a fulfilling life, and
true happiness.
However, achieving both their personal and professional goals
sometimes proves to be very difficult. Many lawyers report being
unhappy with the choices they have made and desire a different
future.
Most lawyers live hectic and stress-filled lives. They experience
a great deal of pressure from the billable hour requirement and
client/firm demands. Finding a balance between work and life without
sacrificing professional success, deciding on the best practice
area or work setting, and making possible career transitions can
be challenging tasks, even for the most talented and accomplished
lawyer.
Are you clear about what you want out of your legal career? Are
you fully engaged in your work and love the practice of law or
are you looking for an alternative?
There are a lot of things you can do with a legal degree. What
are your talents, skill, and interests? If you are considering
leaving the law you need to have an accurate diagnosis of the problem.
Is it the practice of law, your area of specialty, your job, the
firm you are with, financial pressures, the number of clients,
or lack of work/life balance? Career coaching may help you find
the best fit between your talents, skills, interests and values.
Personality assessment tests and career interest inventories can
help you learn about yourself and determine work where you will
be happy and fulfilled.
A number of lawyers choose to develop their own practice or seek
alternative careers. Lawyers frequently find marketing their practice
or creating a career that is more aligned with their values and
evolving interests a significant challenge.
MARKETING AND PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
The difference between successful lawyers and firms and those
that are struggling may be due to business development skills.
Successful legal enterprises have developed the competencies of
rainmaking, marketing and client development.
The business side of being a lawyer can be exciting and fun. A
well run successful practice and/or firm can provide a great deal
of happiness and professional satisfaction. The following are a
few tips to help you focus your efforts.
1. Create a compelling purpose, vision,
and goals.
2. Craft an attention-getting marketing message.
3. Develop a dynamic website.
4. Get consistent visibility for yourself and firm.
5. Do keep-in touch marketing that shows you care.
6. Determine your ideal clients
7. Change your mindset and overcome disempowering beliefs about
practice development.
You have worked hard to get where you are -- you serve others,
both personally and professionally. You've earned the right to
both career success and a happy and meaningful personal life.
Resources
Anderson, N. (2004). Work With Passion. New World Library.
Bolles, R. N. (2005). What Color is Your Parachute? Ten Speed
Press.
Bridges,
W. (1997). Creating You & Co.:
Learn to Think Like the CEO of Your
Own Career. Perseus Publishing.
Buckingham,
M. (2005). The One Thing You Need to Know…About
Great
Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success. Free
Press.
Citrin, J.
M. & Smith, R. A. (2003).
The Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers:
The Guide for Achieving Success and Satisfaction. Crown Business.
Frodsham,
J. & Gargiulo, B. (2005).
Make it Work: Navigate Your Career Without
Leaving Your Organization. Davies-Black Publishing.
Leider, R. J. (1997). The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in
Your Life and
Work. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Working Resources Self-Assessment Quizzes
www.workingresources.com
Self-Assessment Quizzes
VIA Strengths Survey
www.authentichappiness.org
NOW DISCOVER YOUR STRENGTHS
Take Gallup’s STRENGTHSFINDER.COM PROFILE
http://www.strengthsfinder.com/
* ID code
available when Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D.O. (2001)
Now, Discover Your Strengths. New York, NY: The Free Press is purchased
* ID code
available when Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D.O. (2001)
Now, Discover Your Strengths. New York, NY: The Free Press
is purchased
Dr. Brusman
lives in Marin County, California and is a consulting psychologist
and executive coach with a practice in the San Francisco Financial
District. He specializes in working with attorneys and law firms.
He consults with law firms on selecting, retaining, and coaching
top talent and business development. He facilitates law firm
retreats. He presents workshops on “Magically
Change Your Marketing Mindset”. As an Executive/Career Coach
he has helped numerous attorneys revitalize their careers, change
their mindset about marketing, and develop thriving legal practices.
Dr. Brusman may be contacted at (415) 546 -1252, mbrusman@workingresources.com or http://www.workingresources.com
Working Resources
is a Strategic Talent Management Consulting, Leadership Consulting, Training and Executive Coaching Firm
Helping Companies Assess, Select, Coach and Retain Emotionally
Intelligent People; Performance-Based Interviewing and Selection;
Succession Planning; Competency Modeling; Multi-Rater 360-Degree
Feedback; Career Coaching; Change Management; Corporate Culture
Surveys and Executive/Leadership Coaching.
Working
Resources is a Leadership Consulting, Training and Executive Coaching
Firm Helping Companies Assess, Select, Coach and Retain Emotionally
Intelligent People; Emotional Intelligence-Based Interviewing and
Selection; Multi-Rater 360-Degree Feedback; Career Coaching; Change
Management; Corporate Culture Surveys and Executive Coaching.
Dr. Maynard Brusman
Consulting Psychologist and Executive Coach
Trusted Advisor to Senior Leadership Teams
Subscribe to Working Resources FREE E-mail Newsletter.
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