Novartis Canada had its first big event in years this week. As a former #privatepractice #attorney, I had never been to one of those. Here are a few things I learned. 1. It’s all about the connection. Use your free time to meet and connect with folks you work with on a deeper level than the all-business calls you normally have. This is the time to get more personal and become a person rather than another faceless #inhousecounsel. Show some personality and let loose a bit (and not too much). 2. Stay focused. Many nights of events and parties in a row get to be a lot, and especially for newcomers like me. Skipping the booze for a few nights and going to bed a little earlier will preserve your energy level up and will avoid any avoidable antics. One should never forget we are still at work, after all. 3. Listen actively. These events usually do not focus on the legal stuff and tend to be business-first. Try to sit at the meetings and talks of your internal clients and figure out what matters for them, what their objectives are, etc. You will see them shape as the event progresses, and should be able to engage and participate as a result. If you are not invited, proactively ask to attend. Remember: legal is only a cog in a bigger machine, and this is your occasion to see its blueprint and general design. Don’t miss that chance to go macro on things. Also, be thankful: there’s a lot of time and energy going into those, so if you have a good time, be sure to tell those responsible for it. Lastly - and this circles back to point 1 - don’t be so stiff. Have some fun. Crack a few jokes. Be your best self. This is not only a good career move in most places, but it’s also a step toward authenticity and professional fulfilment. It’s exhausting for sure, but what’s a week in a year? Anything else I’m missing? I’m especially curious to learn from the conference veterans out there!
Great advice for lawyers and employees alike, Joel! Kudos to you also for a fantastic LinkedIn profile and for getting content out there so consistently! ????
Useful tips. Thanks Joel Roy
100% agree Joel, show up and lean in like a human professional! It was absolutely fascinating to meet people face to face and find out more about them. I actually thought we had met in person before but I was shocked to see how tall you were so I guess not! ?? Also, wow, great job to the organizers…so impressed with the effort. Slow clap ??
Legal is just one slice of the pie. If you show up at events like this and every day knowing that, you’ll form personal relationships that will embed you into the business more than any project or negotiation ever could. Love this piece Joel Roy
It was great to meet you in person finally and discover more Joel the amazing human (which I already knew :)) It is a privileged to work with you and please continue to be a role model for your profession and remove the barriers and perception we may have!
Jo?l, ?a été un vrai plaisir de te rencontrer en personne, de jaser et de te découvrir. Tu fais partie des coups de coeur de ma semaine!
I love that you had a great time and that there were action items you could take away Joel Roy
“Don’t be so stiff…”. Best advice!! Nice to see the IRL interaction be so enjoyable.
Great tips Joel Roy. Still chuckling at "avoidable antics" ??
Chief Legal Officer (CLO) | General Counsel | Thought Leader | Founder of CURI Insights
2 年Joel Roy here is the advice I always give to my reports on these events - if you have to miss a training session, that's OK. Don't miss the social aspects. It is all about building connections in person. That said, I am also known for calling it in a bit earlier than others. I am someone who just does not function without sleep.