You may not think it, but it is good to be the dumbest person in the room. Knowing and acknowledging it to others lets you learn. This allows you an opportunity to learn what otherwise would be lost. The room may be full of...more
Recently I was speaking with a young attorney who was lamenting the workload and hours the partners at his firm expected of him and talking about his time at night and on the weekends being his time, not theirs. This struck...more
Each of us is a part of a group in relation to our work. You are a part of the company where you work. And you are probably part of smaller formal groups comprised of you and co-workers, as well as part of other...more
Poor time management limits success more than people realize it does. The people you work for, whether bosses or clients, will notice if you show up late or miss a deadline. When you do, it reflects poorly on you and your...more
Many people sugarcoat what they say to save another’s feelings. I think this is because most people shy away from potentially confrontational conversations or don’t know how to effectively communicate something negative or...more
What are you doing right now? Are you focusing on reading these words, or do you have an eye on your email, texts, social media, or maybe all of them? Or are you on the phone? We all think we can do this and do it well, but...more
Failure is an important part of success. Hockey great Wayne Gretzky said, “You’ll always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” How true. This statement recognizes that people are seriously afraid to fail. Similarly, people...more
Celebrating anniversaries and milestones in business is more than just a tradition; it’s a strategic practice that fosters a sense of accomplishment, unity, and motivation within the company. They serve as significant markers...more
Elevating the performance of those around you versus solely focusing on your own results is a critical distinction in personal and professional development. When you prioritize lifting others, you contribute to a...more
“Frequently wrong, but never in doubt” captures the essence of confidence without competence. It characterizes individuals who assert their opinions and judgments with unwavering certainty, even when those assertions are...more
Learning to accept compliments graciously in a professional setting is not only a matter of politeness, but also a skill that can enhance your interpersonal relationships and boost morale within the workplace. When receiving...more
I recently read a quote that said something along the lines of anyone living at the edge of their comfort zone has imposter syndrome and if they don’t, they need to go further. The point, of course, is to continually push...more
This goes for all personal and professional relationships in your life. I heard a woman on a podcast say this, and it struck me. She was speaking about meeting her husband and when things clicked versus when they first met,...more
Networking is the base on which your business development efforts sit. Who you know matters. The broader your network and reach the better chance it will lift you up towards success....more
Just because the thought comes into your head does not mean it should come out of your mouth. In many situations, it matters what you say next. This is why it’s so important to think before speaking. It doesn’t mean long...more
Networking is about knowing more people. Connecting is about knowing people more. The distinction is obvious. You know a lot of people professionally and personally, but you actually are connected to only a fraction of those...more
Thinking about celebrating is inspired by my wife, who has a big birthday tomorrow. We have made special plans with people we care about. In these times it would have been easy to not do so, have a quiet moment with immediate...more
In our scattered multitasking world focus still matters. Our brains aren’t built to do multiple things at once, at least not well. This is a problem when we have tasks or projects requiring focus and attention....more
We live in a world of entrenched people and positions. Right now, you may be thinking of politics and similar high-level issues, but I am not. I’m considering this on a day-to-day level in relation to your work and personal...more
Delivering outstanding advice to your client or customer is what you should strive for. My firm has defined its culture and “Deliver Outstanding Legal Advice” is fundamental #1 of the JW Way. Without this, nothing else we do...more
If you’re working remotely, you know the line between work and home has become more blurred and, in some cases, no longer exists. When your home is your office, you are always at work. This is more than just checking email on...more
It's a skill to fully listen to one or more people in a conversation. If you want to test how people are listening, ask them to repeat back to you the message or direction you were trying to convey. You will be surprised at...more
A few years ago, I read a quote that resonated with me. I happened upon the quote this week and had the same reaction. The quote is “Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living de-geniuses them.” This insightful...more
Most of us are connected to our phones, tablets, or computers more than ever right now. From the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep, most of us are a few steps from our office from anywhere in our home. Like many,...more
Have you ever trained or practiced something with a goal in mind, such as improving your time on your daily run, memorizing your lines for your role at the local theater, or something similar? When you do, you have to make...more