Apologizing is an important tool and if you dismiss it as a sign of weakness, you haven’t experienced its power and are missing opportunities to build and strengthen relationships at work and in your personal life. […]
There’s a saying about law school—”the first year they scare you to death, the second year they work you to death and the third year they bore you to death.” This saying implies that students overcome that first-year fear, but for many lawyers, it never completely goes away. I know because I was one of them. […]
I had a dream last night about coronavirus. A group of friends were leaving a restaurant (remember those?) and I looked back at the table where we had just been sitting and said “oh my God, we forgot to social distance.” The restaurant table was not spacious and, in the dream, I mentally calculated how far away I was from the person across from me, the person next to me. Well within 6 feet. Way too close. It was an intimate space and I began to panic that I had just contracted COVID-19. I woke up bemoaning my forgetfulness. […]
Every January, a group of lawyers I used work with went on a “diet.” It’s in quotes because, as one partner explained, the diet was an excuse to prove to themselves they weren’t alcoholics following the excesses of the holiday season. Recently I learned about “Dry January,” […]
Back when I was practicing law, I had the privilege of arguing before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The court was six hours away, and my boss directed me to leave two days prior rather than just one. Instead of driving six hours, spending the night and making my argument the next morning, she wanted me there…
If I told you that I have a product that will give you more energy, help maintain a healthy weight and improve your mood and performance at work, would you be interested? Might you pay money to get it? The good news is it’s free and within your control to get an adequate supply. The…
When I was a young lawyer, I mentioned a hobby of mine in front of my boss, something I did in my free time. My boss, the managing partner of the firm, narrowed his eyes and said, “free time? You don’t have free time. Your time is my time.” I heard those words over 20…
I reconnected with an early mentor recently when an old piece of business brought us back together again. At the time we worked together, I appreciated his guidance—he showed me how to improve my writing, cross-examine an expert witness, pick juries and so much more. In hindsight, my gratitude has deepened. Like an invisible hand,…
October is pro bono month and the Pennsylvania Bar Association will observe the National Celebration of Pro Bono Week from Oct. 21-27. The Rules of Professional Conduct encourage, but do not require, attorneys to offer pro bono representation or to financially support organizations that do. Why else might you do pro bono work? To answer…
Recently, I was on the phone with a fellow coach who asked about my personality type from an assessment taken in the past. I didn’t recall, so while still on the call, I quietly walked over to my filing cabinet and pulled out a folder labeled “my assessments.” The conversation continued organically as we found…