The Value of Networking. Networking Inside and Out. Goals and Challenges for You and for the Profession. The Value of Networking

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1 The Value of Networking Networking Inside and Out LCLD Pathfinder First Mee>ng Walmart, Bentonville, Arkansas April 5-7, 2018 The Lawyer s Edge 1 The Lawyer s Edge 2 The Value of Networking Develop genuine rela>onships The know, like and trust factor Dig your well before you are thirsty Access to opportuni>es (projects, jobs, volunteer) Access to people (decision-makers, mentors, sponsors) Financial rewards The opportunity to help others The chance to change the legal profession Goals and Challenges for You and for the Profession Specific goals for you and for diverse aworneys in general. Specific challenges. What gets in the way? The Lawyer s Edge 3 The Lawyer s Edge 4 1

2 Turning Ideas (and Ideals) Into Reality How can internal networking address those goals and challenges? Brainstorm ideas for crea>ng internal networking opportuni>es CreaDng Internal Networking OpportuniDes AWend internal events (or create your own) Reach out to individual lawyers Volunteer for a project or commiwee Give a seminar for people on business teams or in other prac>ce groups Be a supporter of others outside ac>vi>es Be a people connector Be there in moments of joy and sadness Praise others and share the credit The Lawyer s Edge 5 The Lawyer s Edge 6 Obstacles to EffecDve Networking No >me. Busy doing real work. Don t want to ask for favors You hate selling yourself You are an introvert, or shy, or not a natural networker You think you won t be successful You don t know what to say Fear (rejec>on, discomfort) Imposter Syndrome ( I don t belong) Networking Your Way Not just for natural networkers Not just for extroverts No one-size-fits-all approach Align your networking style with your preferences, personality, and values Do what works for you! The Lawyer s Edge 7 The Lawyer s Edge 8 2

3 IdenDfy 5 people who could impact your career development Evaluate the quality of your rela>onships AcDon Sheet Brainstorm ways to strengthen and deepen the rela>onships PrioriDze 2 people and take ac>on! Pathfinder Survey: Your Greatest Unmet Need More visibility with organiza>onal/firm leaders, mee>ng decision-makers More frequent client contact Access to the type of work required to advance in my organiza>on Run my own mawers, become a go-to lawyer Gain cri>cal skills, varied experience, cross-train Learn management skills, business development skills BeWer understanding of paths to advancement The Lawyer s Edge 9 The Lawyer s Edge 10 Pathfinder Survey: Most Challenging Aspects of PracDce Naviga>ng internal poli>cs, especially with the added issues of race and gender Maintaining mo>va>on/morale in a flat organiza>on with unclear advancement poten>al Aligning yourself with the right people who can help with training and advancement Time-management and work/life balance Con>nuing to meet expecta>ons as the expecta>ons con>nue to change throughout one s career Balancing skill-development with the work on your desk Pathfinder Survey: Areas Ripe for InnovaDon Development of female and minority lawyers Comba>ng homogeneity in the law, senior leadership Advancement for women with children Work/life balance, flexibility in the work day Implementa>on of legal technology, including automa>on of some tasks Alterna>ve billing models Increase level of responsibility given to junior lawyers The Lawyer s Edge 11 The Lawyer s Edge 12 3

4 Networking Strategy: Shaping PercepDons Tips for Shaping PercepDons Be Authen)c: Don t try to imitate someone else. Differen)ate Yourself: Give people a reason to choose you. Be Clear: Don t make people guess about what you deliver. Be Consistent: Don t dilute your brand. Engage in Self-Analysis: What are you doing that undercuts the percep>ons you are trying to shape? The Lawyer s Edge 13 The Lawyer s Edge 14 How you think you are perceived How you want to be perceived AcDon Sheet How you can influence percep>ons Internal Networking with Pathfinders How can viewing LCLD as your second organiza>on help you take advantage of the opportunity to grow and strengthen your professional networks? What are some concrete strategies you can use to connect with other Pathfinders? The Lawyer s Edge 15 The Lawyer s Edge 16 4

5 Thank you! Elise R. Holtzman, JD, PCC The Lawyer s Edge Elise@TheLawyersEdge.com The Lawyer s Edge 17 5