If you’re smashing your role as legal counsel, you might be thinking about taking the next career step. The next step can often be legal management. Many people are thrown into managing others without first learning how to be a good manager and leader.
Emma Dickin, Head of In-House Practical Guidance Strategy, LexisNexis UK, sat down with Legal Counsels Patricia Swiderska and Joan Scott to discuss legal management and leadership.
They offer advice for those uncertain about moving to the next career level. Exploring the ways businesses can actively support career progression of their legal teams. They also share top tips for those who are new in management and the skills they believe all new managers need.
Making the next move into management
Not everyone is always ready for management. For those who are happy to jump into the role, Patricia says: “Give yourself a pat on the back!”, but then focus on reflecting. Being in a place where you understand what you want from the new role and how it will affect your life will enable you, as a new manager, to plan what you want to achieve.
For those who might not be as confident to step into management, she also advises reflection as well. Ask yourself: “Why do I feel that I’m ready to step into that next role? And why do I feel that I am not ready?” Test these answers with a trusted person, such as a friend, family member or even your own manager.
Joan says that “stepping out of your comfort zone is what growth is all about”. She firmly believes in the “SUD principle”: start where you are, use what you can and do what you can. “I believe everyone can start”.
Joan adds that having a plan from day one is crucial, as is increasing your visibility as a manager through networking. “Make sure that you are there when your business partners are there. In this hybrid world where we’re working mostly from home, make sure the days that you do go in count and that you are an active presence,” she says.
“I think at the heart of this is a notion that, once a lawyer qualifies, that’s not the end of the road and we should give lawyers the opportunity to develop further.”
Patricia Swiderska
Businesses also have a role to play in supporting members of their legal teams with career advancement and development, Emma says. Joan adds that this can be done through mentorship, coaching as well as secondments. Patricia found that getting other qualifications which complement a legal role can also be of great value.
Navigating new managerial roles
What are your top tips for someone who is stepping into new management, Emma asks?
For Patricia:
- Be bold. Don’t be afraid to shape the role in a way in which you think that it needs to be shaped.
- Be curious. Get to know people around you and also their perceptions of you.
- Know yourself. Think about your strengths and what support you might need in the new role.
Joan says:
- Authenticity is key.
- Observe and learn from other managers. Try to be the manager that someone else was when they were a good manager to you.
- She says that being a manager is not the end goal, so a new manager must keep an open mind and an approach to continuously learning.
“Be that role model for other people, and make sure you have an open policy to not only learn from others, but also to be that helpful voice for them.”
Joan Scott
[Related content: How Not To Become a Toxic Leader]
Key skills for new in-house legal managers
When Emma asks about key skills for new managers, Joan highlights that communication is key. Particularly when it comes to communicating with different stakeholders. Joan also says you need to be a leader with integrity, so others know that they can trust you.
Trust is also a key element for Patricia, who says that it is good for managers to try and forge strong connections with those they manage. Sometimes managers will be the person on whom people rely on, sometimes on a very personal level. Patricia also advises to know, or get training on, having difficult conversations.
Getting to know your team, understanding their ambitions and how they can help you achieve your ambitions is also a crucial part of managing, Joan says.
When thinking about your next career step, don’t jump straight into legal management. Take the time to consider if management is the right step for you with a trusted person as Patricia advises. Patricia and Joan also believe that businesses need to commit to the development of legal managers by facilitating opportunities for learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
If legal management is right for you, then Joan says that getting a plan in place is crucial. Effective legal management extends beyond mere task management. A key attribute that both Joan and Patricia called out for new managers is trust. As a new manager, you can start with building relationships and nurturing a culture of candid communication to foster that trust.
If you want more content on navigating how to be a in-house legal manager and leader, watch the four-part “Stepping into management” series we created with LexisNexis.
Crafty Counsel is the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing legal Community. With members from across the globe, the Community is a hub for sharing experiences, learning together, and forming invaluable connections. Join for free to access the Community Hub App.