Just published - Legal Leadership: a handbook for future success

I'm delighted to be one of the co-authors of the latest publication on the legal sector by the Ark Group. Legal Leadership: a handbook for future success has been created to provide you with the essential tools and knowledge you need to become a legal leader of the future.

Based on my own research, I have contributed the chapter, Does your personality influence your potential for partnership? [Spoiler alert: Yes, it does.] For those wanting a bit more detail, the passage below is taken from the introductory chapter of the book, which you can download here.

Despite a rise in the number of lawyers pursuing alternative career paths, most remain focused on the route to partnership. Statistically the vast majority will not achieve this goal; nonetheless, successful partners do exist. This begs the question: what sets these lawyers apart, and can we identify those with the potential to succeed in advance? A range of factors influences a lawyer’s ability to become a successful law firm leader, with personality being one of these. In chapter three Edward Walker – director at Anima & Atman – discusses six personality traits that have been shown to be linked to leadership potential. The implications for individual lawyer careers and law firm talent management are both subsequently discussed.

Writing the chapter has been a great experience, so I hope Legal Leadership proves to be a valuable addition to the reading list of aspiring law firm partners. Alternatively, if you are responsible for developing legal talent, why not ask your firm to buy a few copies for their own library collection, so everyone can benefit!