Legal team growth is essential as we transition into the New Year. With Christmas officially behind us, many of us who planned to take the last week of the year off find ourselves back in the office, feeling that familiar sense of panic. The “Christmas hangover” sets in—credit card bills are on the way, the out-of-town family has returned home, and the house feels empty. Meanwhile, your assistant is out this week, leaving your calendar light on revenue-generating activities. Amidst all this, the New Year offers a glimmer of hope—where things will, and must, improve.
At Hiring & Empowering Solutions, we know these feelings well. This is our second year of taking a different approach to year-end wrap-up and New Year resolutions, and it has made a tremendous difference. We’d like to share this approach with you.
Reflecting on Legal Team Growth
One of the best ways to promote legal team growth is to end the year with reflections on what you’ve learned. We do this with “Year-End Statements” that highlight the top three lessons from the past 12 months. These reflections fuel us with intentional determination, discipline, passion, purpose, and growth as we enter the New Year.
Top 3 Lessons for Legal Team Growth in 2010
- Embrace Fear for Growth
In 2010, we learned that embracing fear is key to legal team growth. Stepping out of our comfort zones and adopting the mantra “feel the fear and do it anyway” helped us overcome challenges. For Molly, this meant diving into public speaking, joining Toastmasters, participating in retreats, and even contributing to a book. For Laney, it was about embracing relationships where she was appreciated and celebrated. We discovered that fear is just an emotion, and the quicker we take action, the less intimidating it becomes. In 2011, we’ll continue to confront our fears to drive our team’s growth. - Let Go of the ‘Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda’ Mentality
Another critical lesson in legal team growth is letting go of self-doubt and negative thinking. In 2010, we stopped worrying about critical emails and focused on clients who truly align with our values. We now know what our ideal client looks like and refuse to compromise. This shift has allowed us to work with like-minded individuals and support them as they navigate their paths to success. In 2011, we’ll continue to learn from our mistakes but won’t let others’ decisions shake our confidence. - Ignite Passion for Continued Growth
In 2010, we decided to invest our time and energy only in people who show immense passion and integrity in everything they do. Legal team growth requires a deep commitment to purpose, and in 2011, we’ll continue to seek out others who share that passion. Together, we can create incredible momentum and drive meaningful change.
Moving Forward:
If you still need a “jump start” for legal team growth in 2011, we recommend reading “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers. This book has been instrumental in helping us understand that fear is often the root of stress, worry, indecision, and hesitation. By changing our relationship with fear, we can unlock happiness and success. Don’t let fear rob you of what’s waiting for you in 2011.
P.S. Check out our free resources on our website, fire.h50.us/~hrgnmpwr/dev2/, for more tips on building a thriving legal team.
