Most of us are pretty good at judging others…actually we’re downright expert at doing so IF we’re being brutally honest that is…..whether inwardly or out loud to others, we judge others’ looks, their work habits, their personalities, their decisions and the list goes on. What is not so easy to do, however, is to look inward…to look into that often painful...
1. Looking back over the past 12 months, what contributions have you made to your workplace that are not in your job description (e.g. cost-saving ideas, helping co-workers in need of an extra hand without being asked)?
2. Do you make an excessive number of personal calls during the workday? What about personal emails?
3. How would co-workers most likely describe your office personality...
How can paralegals maintain their profession’s highly valued niche within the legal system?
How do paralegals enhance their individual value to law firms and legal departments?
What behaviors decrease their value?
How can paralegals collectively enhance their profession for those following in their footsteps?
How Can Paralegals as a Profession Maintain Their Highly Valued Niche
Love what...
Hold regular, uninterrupted meetings with employees (i.e. We should never multitask during these meetings…employees like clients/customer deserve our full, undivided attention!)
Enforce (or ignore!) rules fairly and consistently across the board
Treat employees in the same manner you expect them to treat clients/customers & in the same ways you like to be treated
Give ongoing feedback...
Employee Terminations: Self-Audit Tips from Hiring to Firing…..okay…I know personnel management and especially employee firings are NOT desired or enjoyable subjects for most of us…but it is reality. You can read my partial list of recommendations on the hiring process, the management and supervision of employees and the termination of them when things just don’t work...
Many law firms are still trying to recover from the tornado-like aftermath caused by the economic chaos of recent years. Others are in the midst of other challenges. They may be defending allegations of ethical violations or malpractice, in shock and grieving over the unexpected death of a co-worker or trying to stabilize after the departure of key employees or partners.
Rough times can sneak...
I’ve taught and written about the increased risks of ethics violations and legal malpractice when attorneys’ lives are out of control (this goes for legal staff too). We fool ourselves into thinking that we’re better lawyers and legal assistants when we remain in a 90 mph non-stop mode…worse, some attorneys think you’re not a real lawyer unless you are working 80...
MANAGERS/LEADERS/SUPERVISORS
(Note: No Order of Priority Intended….I Consider All These Red Flags as Needing ASAP Attention!)
(c) Nancy Byerly Jones 2010
Excessive/chronic telephone & email message pileups
Regular client/customer complaints about unreturned telephone calls
Trying to keep up with it all without short hot list (“cheat sheet” or “road map”) re...
For those considering office sharing (or already doing so), here are a few of my recommendations for minimizing the risks and maximizing the benefits:
Tips on office sharing and executive suites (from chapter in ABA/Law Practice Management’s Flying Solo, Edition 4 Publication)
Other questions? Either leave a comment or email me at nbj@nbjconsulting.com and I will be happy to respond as...
Sampling Characteristics of Successful Firms in 2009:
An ongoing effort to improve management and leadership skills including having the most qualified (vs. most senior, etc.) leaders at the helm
Creating written action plans, monitoring them regularly and holding everyone timely accountable to do their part
Taking the need to market the firm seriously and doing it in ways right for the firm and...
Click here for one of my articles on these two runaway problems in today’s law firms and other offices. Workplace bullying and verbal violence poison (dilute at best) any other steps taken to reduce office stress and they are serious productivity and morale thieves. Sadly, too many leaders allow these destructive behaviors to continue without any efforts to stop them.
It doesn’t...
By clicking here, you’ll pull up a copy of one of my articles on effective law firm leadership – an often talked about subject, but not as often practiced. This article also includes my simplistic self-audit for privately evaluating our own leadership characteristics. And, I suggest an easy way to immediately start honing any leadership skills that you may need to work on. ...
Many things can bring workplace morale spiraling downward. Some all-too-common Morale Busters in law offices (and other offices as well) include:
Rules applied sporadically and unfairly among employees (e.g. starting time, length of lunch breaks, # of vacation days)
An ongoing frantic pace — day after day — caused primarily by a supervisor’s poor planning and organizational...
Some of the best advice I ever received was to cherish the good moments during the holidays. In other words, instead of our lamenting over the presence of a loud, obnoxious relative or your grumpy ol’ Uncle’s sour outlook on life, celebrate the one or two moments they actually laughed, shared a rare hug or cracked a funny one liner. If we judge our holidays in their totality, we...
My husband and I recently returned from our first extended vacation in 11 years. Embarrassing to admit because if you’ve been to one of my workshops, you know how strongly I advocate for and teach the importance of making time for regular mini and extended vacation breaks. I remind all clients and seminar audiences that with a bit of creativity and planning, we don’t have to...
