Effective Leadership

                Two recent articles[1] discussing leadership relating to lawyers were well written.  The leadership principles discussed go beyond lawyers; the leadership principles apply to everyone who strives to be an effective leader.   The authors identified the following characteristics of effective leaders:

·         Checks ego at the door.  “When the leader checks his ego at the door, others see that he doesn’t have to be the smartest in the room, he doesn’t have to have the last word, he remains silent while others speak, he listens for empathy and information and not for rebuttal, and he lets others get credit.”[2]

·         Shows vulnerability.  “A good leader knows what makes her people tick.  She must learn what motivates them . . . and who they are.”[3]

·         Demonstrates transparency.   A good leader shares information with others; he does not hold it as a weapon for power.[4]

·         Leads with silence.  “A good leader is one who understand and even expects that she is not always the smartest person in the room.”[5]  She lets her team express their ideas and allows them to gain confidence as a result.

·         Works with his staff.  A good leader rolls up his sleeves and joins in the work of the team.[6] 

·         Sets clear expectations.  A good leader lets his staff know what he expects from them and why it is important.[7]

·         Empowers his people.[8] 

·         Deals with issues directly and privately.[9]

·         Gives away credit.[10]

·         Challenges his staff.  A good leader works with his staff to help them achieve their goals and stretch their abilities.[11]

·         Engages his staff in the decision-making process.[12]

·         Has their backs.[13]

·         Exhibits poise.  A good leader has “grace under fire.”[14]



[1] “Twelve Guiding Principles to Leading Attorneys” by Miguel R. Rivera, Sr. published in Diversity & The Bar, January/February 2015; and “Developing Executive Presence”, by Kathryn K. Misna and Amy D. Cline published in ACC Docket, December 2014.
[2] “Twelve Guiding Principles to Leading Attorneys” at 16.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.at 17
[6] Id.
[7] Id.
[8] Id.
[9] Id. at 18.
[10] Id. at 18-19.
[11] Id. at 19.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] “Developing Executive Presence” at 62.