{"id":4911,"date":"2021-07-13T13:42:23","date_gmt":"2021-07-13T13:42:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tpcleadership.com\/tr-tr\/uncategorized\/shifting-culture-in-law-firms\/"},"modified":"2025-11-30T15:27:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T15:27:53","slug":"shifting-culture-in-law-firms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tpcleadership.com\/tr-tr\/liderler-gelistirmek\/shifting-culture-in-law-firms\/","title":{"rendered":"Why it\u2019s essential to shift culture in law firms"},"content":{"rendered":"

In recent weeks, we\u2019ve been publishing insights from an interview we were granted with Richard Macklin<\/a>, a leading consultant and former Global Vice Chair of Dentons, the world\u2019s largest law firm, who is uniquely positioned to address the challenges facing leadership in the legal sector.<\/span><\/p>\n

Richard has laid out the reasons <\/span>why lawyers underestimate leadership <\/span>and has spoken to us about <\/span>the future of leadership of law firms \u2013 and why the trend needs to change. <\/span>Today, he unpacks how leadership can usher in a new future in the legal sector, drawing a link between culture, happiness and productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve got a decent culture, people are happier,\u201d Richard says. \u201cThe suggestion which follows this, which is hard for lawyers to believe in, is that <\/span>if you have happier people, you will raise productivity<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0But I really believe that is the way forward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The goal of shifting culture<\/b><\/h2>\n

When billable hours and revenue generation dominate the everyday goals of law firms, it can be hard to inspire people to value the grander vision that they are a part of. But this, Richard explains, is key to getting lawyers out of silo thinking and into a state of flow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo be engaged with where you\u2019re going, proud of the journey you\u2019re on, is a much more powerful driver than making money,\u201d says Richard. \u201cIf money is your driver, then you\u2019ll simply shoot off to another law firm the moment there\u2019s financial incentive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Even without the retention issues it creates, a culture that prioritises revenue generation above all else will inevitably lead to lawyers working in isolation, as they try to maximise their personal earnings. This in turn impacts productivity, too. You may still have lawyers working day and night, but if wellbeing, teamwork and long-term thinking takes a hit, you\u2019ll likely see less profit over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWorking collaboratively with a team sounds a bit fluffy to lawyers,\u201d says Richard \u201cBut if you make it a priority, there\u2019s no doubt that everybody wins. I\u2019m absolutely certain about that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The challenge of shifting culture<\/b><\/h2>\n

When it comes to culture shifts, many law firms struggle to bring people with them. You need to enact change <\/span>with<\/span><\/i> people, never <\/span>to<\/span><\/i> them. But this can be harder than it sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShifting culture in a law firm is a very difficult thing to do,\u201d says Richard. \u201cYou\u2019re trying to persuade hundreds of business owners to move the ship one degree to the left. By the end of it, your political capital can be spent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Co-creating a new culture with your organisation isn\u2019t necessarily about democracy. There\u2019s still a place for holding your ground, even when you\u2019re listening to and valuing what people are saying. But even if what you are attempting to do goes against the grain, your vision and values need to be simple and contagious enough that the whole organisation can catch it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Richard saw such a culture shift when he visited Northern Rock shortly after it had been acquired by Virgin. As he walked around the corridors, or attended meetings as a fly on the wall, he saw how Virgin\u2019s new strapline \u2013 Everyone Better Off (EBO) \u2013 was shaping conversation in the business.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone was buzzing,\u201d says Richard. \u201cPeople were going into meetings asking \u2018Is that EBO? I\u2019m not sure it is, is it?\u2019 And they would discuss whether each decision was making everyone better off. It was extraordinary to see people living out the organisation\u2019s purpose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The rewards of shifting culture<\/b><\/h2>\n

Culture doesn\u2019t only affect official decisions and business direction, it affects how people feel in your organisation. If they feel disconnected from others, they are likely to behave in a more self-protective way. But when they feel a sense of belonging, those same people look out for each other and don\u2019t worry so much about appearances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Richard remembers an interview with a leader of the Red Arrows <\/span>Squadron<\/span> in which they spoke about their post-flight routine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the engines were still cooling, they\u2019d take off their helmets and sit in a circle,\u201d says Richard. \u201cThen going first, the <\/span>Squadron<\/span> leader would say, \u2018Good flight everyone. However, I called that one a bit too fast tonight. I tipped my wing a little too close to you and I need to learn more.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After the Squadron leader had spoken, everyone else felt able to call themselves out or call others out if they needed. It was a safe place for them to learn together and address the issues that their lives depended on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a picture of what\u2019s possible in any organisation in the legal sector. It\u2019s the kind of culture that can\u2019t be forced, nor can it occur by default. But it\u2019s worth working towards, even if we only move the dial a little to start with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If we do, we\u2019ll see the impact in lawyers\u2019 productivity, conversations and wellbeing. Ultimately we\u2019ll feel a part of something greater than ourselves and make decisions accordingly. Lawyers will be happier <\/span>and chances are<\/span>, law firms will make more profit too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking to make an impact in your department or firm? <\/span>Get in touch<\/span><\/a> to find out how TPC can help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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