Creating a Culture of Leaders

There is an abundance of information on leadership development for lawyers, and programming opportunities for law firm leaders on how to improve their leadership skills. Leadership consultants, business school programs, and local bar associations all offer programs that provide lawyer-leaders the tools to succeed. Typically, law firm leadership training is focused on three potential audiences: partners, practice group or department leaders, and “rising stars” or emerging leaders. While this article is not questioning the effectiveness of such programs, or the merit in addressing leadership competencies in myriad ways, we discuss a different methodology. This article examines how our own law firm, Much Shelist, P.C., encouraged a culture of leadership by providing access to leadership development training across all disciplines and levels of experience. The following are best practices in implementing a leadership training program with the goal of having each lawyer become a better, more self-aware leader in business and the community.