Monday, November 30, 2009
This is the transcript of a speech I delivered to College of Law Graduates in September 2009.
The Trusted Advisor
Jennie Vickers
Jennie Vickers, Vice President of ADLS presented awards to the top students of the College of Law’s 2009 classes.
In addressing the group after the award ceremony Jennie Vickers reflected on the journey they were embarking on to become “trusted advisors”. Here is a précis of her address.
Congratulations on surviving your course of study and congratulations particularly to the award winners.
You are joining the profession at a time of great change. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Act has forced a greater client focus. This will entail change for some. It does however mean that starting out as you are in 2009, you have the opportunity to make this the profession you want it to be. I wanted to be a lawyer from the age of 3, back in the days when lawyers were the most trusted profession, along with doctors. Sadly our standing has gone awry since then. Public perception has been coloured by too many American TV shows demonstrating dreadful behaviour and doubtful ethics. It is time we took back our rightful place, as the trusted advisors.
In thinking about today I mused back to the days when I started out; to the advice I was given that I ignored; the advice I didn’t ignore; and the advice I wish I had been given. I dispelled it down to six things:
1. Listening – particularly in these early years, cultivate the skill of listening to both collegues and clients. We start out knowing everything and nothing, and learning to really listen is a valuable skill that will serve you well;
2. Remain curious – intently listening does not absolve us from responsibility to keep curious and challenge where needed. You are selected for your intellect not your servility;
3. Silence is golden – forget six, or even two degrees of separation. Here in New Zealand it’s one. The police don’t have “the best work stories”, we do, but we can’t talk about them. Start out with the habit of never discussing work outside your firm’s private environment, resist that temptation to show off – you never know who is listening and repeating information back;
4. Responsibility – take responsibility for your own career and time. There is more to life than work. If you don’t get the balance right now, you’ll end up like the droves of 30 somethings around the World who are leaving the profession disillusioned having squandered their 20’s working. I worked 14 hours on my first day in London in Slaughter & May, and it never really changed. I have few memories of my 20’s, apart from the deals we did, which is sad. Striking a balance between work and home takes effort and focus. However tempting it is to update Facebook during the day there’s no point if it means working late to make up time. Your employer deserves and pays for your focus.
5. Vertical leadership – Lawyers are not universally known for their management and leadership skills. If you want to experience good leadership and management you may need to take the initiative and learn vertical (or upward) management. Be prescriptive about what you want and need, so its easier for them to deliver.
Baby Boomers and Gen Y’s communications frequently cause frustration – its like trying to stick an LP into a CD player. Instead of expecting those old boomers to change, step into their shoes and learn to speak in their language; and finally
6. Become a trusted advisor. David Maister in his book “The Trusted Advisor” observes that “professionals who earn trust most successfully are those at ease with concepts like:
• What goes around comes around;
• Do well by doing good;
• You get back what you put in; and
• Use it or lose it.”
• What goes around comes around – ADLS Inc is a voluntary membership society. Get involved, join RAMs (which is not just about drinking), and contribute to the profession. Even if your firm doesn’t pay it’s well worth spending your own money on the small membership fee. The collegiality and interactions with other members of the profession from diverse law practices will stand you in good stead.
• Do well by doing good – our community law centres do a valuable job but they need help, learn your craft by volunteering here or at the prisons. And of course get involved and join ADLS!
• You get back what you put in – join ADLS and contribute!
• Use it or lose it – join ADLS and come to the pub quizzes and Mental Fitness for Lawyers!
In conclusion, congratulations to everyone for surviving the ordeal. ADLS is delighted to be hosting this award ceremony and we look forward to many more in the future.
J. Vickers
02/09/2009
The Trusted Advisor
Jennie Vickers
Jennie Vickers, Vice President of ADLS presented awards to the top students of the College of Law’s 2009 classes.
In addressing the group after the award ceremony Jennie Vickers reflected on the journey they were embarking on to become “trusted advisors”. Here is a précis of her address.
Congratulations on surviving your course of study and congratulations particularly to the award winners.
You are joining the profession at a time of great change. The Lawyers and Conveyancers Act has forced a greater client focus. This will entail change for some. It does however mean that starting out as you are in 2009, you have the opportunity to make this the profession you want it to be. I wanted to be a lawyer from the age of 3, back in the days when lawyers were the most trusted profession, along with doctors. Sadly our standing has gone awry since then. Public perception has been coloured by too many American TV shows demonstrating dreadful behaviour and doubtful ethics. It is time we took back our rightful place, as the trusted advisors.
In thinking about today I mused back to the days when I started out; to the advice I was given that I ignored; the advice I didn’t ignore; and the advice I wish I had been given. I dispelled it down to six things:
1. Listening – particularly in these early years, cultivate the skill of listening to both collegues and clients. We start out knowing everything and nothing, and learning to really listen is a valuable skill that will serve you well;
2. Remain curious – intently listening does not absolve us from responsibility to keep curious and challenge where needed. You are selected for your intellect not your servility;
3. Silence is golden – forget six, or even two degrees of separation. Here in New Zealand it’s one. The police don’t have “the best work stories”, we do, but we can’t talk about them. Start out with the habit of never discussing work outside your firm’s private environment, resist that temptation to show off – you never know who is listening and repeating information back;
4. Responsibility – take responsibility for your own career and time. There is more to life than work. If you don’t get the balance right now, you’ll end up like the droves of 30 somethings around the World who are leaving the profession disillusioned having squandered their 20’s working. I worked 14 hours on my first day in London in Slaughter & May, and it never really changed. I have few memories of my 20’s, apart from the deals we did, which is sad. Striking a balance between work and home takes effort and focus. However tempting it is to update Facebook during the day there’s no point if it means working late to make up time. Your employer deserves and pays for your focus.
5. Vertical leadership – Lawyers are not universally known for their management and leadership skills. If you want to experience good leadership and management you may need to take the initiative and learn vertical (or upward) management. Be prescriptive about what you want and need, so its easier for them to deliver.
Baby Boomers and Gen Y’s communications frequently cause frustration – its like trying to stick an LP into a CD player. Instead of expecting those old boomers to change, step into their shoes and learn to speak in their language; and finally
6. Become a trusted advisor. David Maister in his book “The Trusted Advisor” observes that “professionals who earn trust most successfully are those at ease with concepts like:
• What goes around comes around;
• Do well by doing good;
• You get back what you put in; and
• Use it or lose it.”
• What goes around comes around – ADLS Inc is a voluntary membership society. Get involved, join RAMs (which is not just about drinking), and contribute to the profession. Even if your firm doesn’t pay it’s well worth spending your own money on the small membership fee. The collegiality and interactions with other members of the profession from diverse law practices will stand you in good stead.
• Do well by doing good – our community law centres do a valuable job but they need help, learn your craft by volunteering here or at the prisons. And of course get involved and join ADLS!
• You get back what you put in – join ADLS and contribute!
• Use it or lose it – join ADLS and come to the pub quizzes and Mental Fitness for Lawyers!
In conclusion, congratulations to everyone for surviving the ordeal. ADLS is delighted to be hosting this award ceremony and we look forward to many more in the future.
J. Vickers
02/09/2009
Today I am frustrated about the poor quality of the discussion in the media this weekend about legal aid. It is time a clear distinction is made between lawyers gaming a system that is crumbling and those who are cheating. It has been clear for many years that the legal aid system is serving neither people searching for access to justice nor those working in the system. I have great admiration for those who diligently work in the system providing that access to justice, earning an inadequate living and being the subject of constant uninformed discussion. As a profession I think it is time for us to stand up for the good guys, propose a system that will work and distance ourselves from those who are cheating.
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