In-House Impact: Understanding Your Unique Value

How can you stand out as an in-house attorney? Your law degree, legal training, firm experience, work ethic and competence got you the job.

But going forward, those impressive attributes are not enough.

They are now table stakes. They won’t set you apart from other lawyers. More importantly, they don’t convince business partners and executive teams of your value as a trusted teammate and resource for driving growth. ??

Faced with this reality, some in-house lawyers comfort themselves by:

·????? Keeping their head down, focusing on the work.

·????? Circling the wagons, retreating into the familiarity of the legal department.

·????? Saying yes to every request, hoping a reputation for initiative will impress. ?

These attorneys struggle to articulate their worth, leading to career stagnation and dissatisfaction.

The bottom line? What got you here won’t get you there (to the next stage of your career).

The Challenge of Defining Your Value

Instead of merely surviving, the most successful in-house lawyers thrive: by understanding their unique value and effectively communicating it. They use their skill at problem-solving for others and apply that critical thinking to their own careers. They leverage their wealth of experience and skills effectively, sharpening focus on what matters to them and their teams.

What’s Your In-House Impact?

The In-House Impact Framework empowers in-house counsel to discover and own their unique professional identity. By aligning personal priorities, strengths and industry demands, you can identify your “In-House Impact" – the specific value you bring to the table.

How the In-House Impact Framework Works

• Self-discovery: We delve into what truly motivates and drives you. What parts of your work do you most enjoy? ? What are your personal commitments? Have they changed since law school? What are your central desires and commitments, both personally and professionally? What are your values?
• Strength assessment: We name and claim your unique hard and soft skills (both hard and soft), as well as talents (things that come naturally to you). What do those close to you say are your greatest assets? How do they differ from your self-assessment?
• Market analysis: We identify industry needs and opportunities. What does the business need in 1, 5 or 10 years? How can you position yourself to meet those needs? Are there opportunities to upskill? Could you ask for operational assignments (outside the legal department)? Does it make sense to strategically network outside of your organization to learn more about the broader market?

Your unique blend of priorities, strengths and market demands becomes your In-House Impact.

The In-House Impact forms the basis for a powerful resume, engaging LinkedIn Profile and confident in-person presence – key components of a strong, authentic personal brand.

The Benefits of a Strong In-House Impact

• Career clarity: Understand your ideal role and career path.
• Confident personal branding: Authentically communicate your value.
• Enhanced job performance: Focus on tasks aligned with your strengths.
• Increased job satisfaction: Enjoy a career that fulfills your passions.
• Negotiation power: Command higher salaries and better benefits.

Conclusion

Your relationship to your career is one of the most important in your life. Too many in-house lawyers neglect that relationship. By understanding your In-House Impact, you can take control of your professional destiny.

Are you ready to discover your In-House Impact? Let's connect! ?