Beyond Command and Control: The Case for Empathetic Leadership in Law Firms

There’s a lot of talk, grumbling, and bemused head-scratching in law firms these days among partners of a certain age who lament the younger generation of lawyers who are so good at saying no and preserving their nights and weekends for pursuits other than legal work.

What is certain is that the commanding leadership style of previous generations – I will tell you to jump, and you ask how high – are not getting the results they used to.

While it is easy to lament the current younger generation, adapting one’s leadership style is likely to yield better results.

Case in point. One national law firm partner I know well, Jennifer, leads a large group of senior associates, paralegals, and support staff. Her team regularly juggles massive deals and projects with short timelines. The team is collegial and collaborative, and when the work calls for a late night or weekend, this partner always gets the support she is looking for.

I asked Jennifer to tell me why she has such a great team and always gets the support she needs, here’s what she told me:

1. Before assigning work or involving an associate in a transaction, she always asks what else they have on the go. If the associate’s plate sounds full, she tells them: “Don’t worry, you sound slammed; I will come back to you next time.” Jennifer told me that when she was an associate, she was afraid to say no, fearing that the partner would never involve her in a transaction again. She often ended up with way too many files on the go and suffered for it. As a partner, she wants associates to speak freely with her with the confidence of knowing they will not be cut out of future projects if they are too busy to help.
2. Jennifer always ensures her team doesn’t work weekends except when absolutely required. Her team is currently engaged with several large transactions, and one of the associates offered to get a piece of work done over the weekend. Jennifer, recognizing that the task was not urgent, told the associate, “Don’t work this weekend; it could be the last free one we have for a while.”
3. Jennifer respects her team members’ holidays and will never bother them except in emergencies. Recently, one of the team members expressed the need to leave on Friday at 3 p.m. for a family trip. At 3 p.m., the associate was still online trying to get a piece of work out. Jennifer called her and told her to log off and that she and the team could handle getting the task completed.
4. Jennifer also enjoys surprising her team members with gifts and treats to show her appreciation.

Jennifer is passionate about her work and shares that enthusiasm with her team. I would also say that she is empathetic and kind. This combination of professional skills, personal qualities, and leadership style has made her a sought-after leader at her firm.

I am sure all of you reading this article know of leaders like Jennifer, who are great to work with. Please share in the comment section below what these leaders do that makes them so effective.