Learn how to become a
Fully Human Leader™
I share my ideas in The American Lawyer, Bloomberg Law, Corporate Counsel, Law.com, and Business Insider. I also discuss them in podcast and media interviews, as well as in my LinkedIn posts about personal (everyday) leadership.
My Articles & Fully Human Lawyer™ Columns
When the pandemic first started, I wrote an article to help our profession “humanize itself” during that uncertain and scary time. It was a top-trender on The American Lawyer for weeks. The legal profession’s tremendous response revealed a hunger for real-life, practical advice about how to leverage our common humanity to drive performance. With that my Fully Human Lawyer™ column was born. I’m grateful for the terrific input, candid feedback, and overwhelming encouragement from so many leaders in the legal profession.

Fully Human Lawyer™: The Secret Thoughts of Lateral Partner Hires
Many laterals don’t have a clear grasp of the unwritten rules…

Fully Human Lawyer™: A Three-Step Process For Leaders Considering RTO And Other Divisive Issues
Mark, a managing partner, was exhausted from fielding the daily complaints…

Fully Human Lawyer™: Do Associates Know What They’re Really Being Paid For?
Dave, a partner, was exhausted…

Fully Human Lawyer™: Value Beyond Numbers
I spent much of Q4 discussing numbers – metrics – in various contexts…

Fully Human Lawyer™: How to Avoid the Layoff List and Become a Must-Keep Associate
As a young lawyer, I got laid off from my big firm during a recession.

Fully Human Lawyer™: 7 Things Successful In-House Lawyers Do
Alex just accepted an in-house job offer from one of her firm’s top clients…

Fully Human Lawyer™: How Associates Can Better Receive Meaningful Feedback
Sam, a law firm associate, was stressed. A huge deal had just closed…

Fully Human Lawyer™: Failure to Give Effective Feedback Can Cost You Dearly
Attorneys at all levels have said how shocked and angered…

Leading a Law Firm in Polarized Times
It’s a tough time to lead a law firm. On top of recession concerns…

Fully Human Lawyer™: When Conflict Arises in a Firm, Getting Curious—Not Furious—Can Solve the Problem
Margo, the group leader I was coaching, was livid. Colin, a member of her team…

Fully Human Lawyer™: In a Talent War, ‘Thank You’ May Be Worth Thousands for Underappreciated Attorneys
When it comes to attracting and retaining talent, money is obviously important, but it’s the easiest part.

Fully Human Lawyer™: Why Too Many Partners Misread Their Value to Law Firms
What’s your value to your organization? Dave, a law firm partner, was nearing total burnout…

Fully Human Lawyer™: For Lawyers, Being ‘Colorblind’ on Issues of Race Is a Troubling Blind Spot
Mike, a Black senior associate at a top global law firm, sought coaching to help him manage junior associates more effectively.

What Lessons Lawyers Can Learn From Week One of Working From Home
Here are 13 best practices, tailored specifically for the issues partners and associates experienced this week working remotely, to remain effective, realistic, responsive and human.
Media + Podcast Interviews
The Secret Ingredient to Leadership Shared by an Executive Coach (a 30-minute listen)
How great does it feel when a law firm client you greatly admire asks you to explain your single most important belief about leadership? In this podcast interview, I discuss with a nationally respected wellness-in-business expert the not-so-obvious link between wellness and superior leadership. (Hint: Don’t worry, you definitely won’t hear “you should just go meditate…”)
When is ‘Good,’ Good ENOUGH? Overcoming Perfectionism (a 20-minute listen)
My personal hero – NYT best-selling author, Harvard Medical School professor, and ADHD-pioneer/luminary Ned Hallowell, MD – invited me to explain the surprising negative impact of perfectionism on leadership. Many overachievers have told me (a former overachiever myself!) that this new view of leadership helped them kick their perfectionism to the curb once and for all. (Note: Dr. Hallowell’s podcast applies to all humans (no ADHD required!). The interview starts at :40).
What Law Firms Can Do to Upgrade Their ‘Zoom Associates’ (a 5-minute read)
Communication, clear expectations, frequent meetings and giving associates a venue to “flex different muscles” can help address any skill gaps.
Where Women’s Leadership Programs Fall Short (a 2-minute read)
Old name: “Women’s leadership program.” New name: “Program to hone leadership skills in which people invest their time, energy and attention to understand/identify/prevent (men) and learn to navigate/flourish despite/prevent (women) the complex drivers and often subtle manifestations of gender bias.”
What Happens to Law Firms if Lawyers Don’t Think They Need Them? (a 10-minute read)
The isolation caused by the pandemic—and the great “re-thinking” that many did during that time—has led to greater individualism among lawyers and less of a reliance on or a belief in their firms.
Things I've thought
Fully Human Leadership™ happens in our personal lives too. I’ve trained myself to notice examples in non-obvious places. I encourage you to try it.