Law Practice Coaches Help You Perform an "Internal Audit" of Your Law Practice, Acquire New Levels of Success
Authors: Suzi Pomerantz, MT., MCC. and Stewart Hirsch, Esq.
This article first appeared in Being In Action, 1997, 9, 1-2
© 2001. Innovative Leadership International LLC. All rights reserved. www.innovativeleader.com Reprinted with permission of author.
INTRODUCTION: You have been hearing a lot of hype about Executive Coaching in the last five years, but did you know that coaching is not just for executives? Attorneys all over the world are also taking advantage of coaching to:
- Leverage their networking and marketing efforts,
- Take a leadership role in their firm,
- Advance or even change their careers.
Coaches guide attorneys through the process of improving certain skill sets and the overall quality of their professional lives. Senior attorneys used to take the time and energy to provide guidance to younger associates, as mentors, and some still do, either formally or informally. However, there is no assurance of confidentiality, and the quality and consistency of mentoring varies greatly. An experienced professional coach adheres to ethical standards including confidentiality, and masters listening and guidance skills, just as a lawyer masters the artistry of the legal profession. Coaches, like lawyers, are trained to ask the right follow-up questions to glean valuable information for their coaching clients. Think of coaching as a support system to allow you to perform an audit or assessment of your law practice or legal career; it focuses on strategic actions and results that are aligned with your vision and goals for your professional development.