I appreciate the ongoing opportunity to connect with in-house counsel via this column, and I frequently offer my two cents on strategy and marketability for readers who want to sit in a General Counsel chair down the road.

But I have never sat in a GC seat, and nothing beats hearing directly from successful professionals who have been where you want to go. With that in mind, I'm starting off 2018 with tips generated from my firm's Q&A profiles with General Counsel. A big thank you to Cate Flahardy who conducts these interviews.

Clear themes emerge, and the most unmistakable is shifting from thinking like a lawyer to thinking like a businessperson. As Jeff Carr, general counsel of chemical giant Univar, puts it: “I happen to have a law degree and I happen to be in charge of legal services. But I don't define myself as a lawyer. I am a leader and executive.” Here is how Karen Shaff, general counsel of financial services leader Principal Financial Group, advises aspiring GC: “Businesspeople love to talk about their business. You have to have an interest in knowing the business, you have to listen and build relationships with the businesspeople.”

Getting out of the office and networking matters. Cornell Boggs, who spent time as general counsel with Dow Corning and Toys “R” Us, suggests: “Pay attention to what's happening, attend conferences and develop a network of peers so you can get insights coming from another place.”

Take advantage of leadership training when available. “I always tell my team that seeking out coaching is never a sign of weakness. Understand there is room for improvement and seek it out,” according to Rich Konrath, general counsel of heavy equipment manufacturer CNH Industrial.

Be intellectually curious. Jason Brown, general counsel of Dyson, advises: “You constantly have to be hungry for learning new things. Move between (subject matter) groups and grow in your path to be a really effective GC.”

Then there are intangible qualities such as executive presence and a strong ethical compass. All successful GCs bring strong character traits to the table. I'll conclude this column with two of my favorite quotes along these lines. “Be impeccable with your word. Say what you think and do what you say you are going to do,” says Anne Fitzgerald, general counsel with Cineplex. And if you take away one piece of advice today, I hope it is this from Curt Kramer, general counsel of truck and bus manufacturer Navistar: “Don't focus on title and pay. Focus on taking pride in what you do and doing the best job you can do.” Curt started with Navistar in 2002 and earned several promotions along a path that led him to the GC chair earlier this year.

Mike Evers recruits attorneys for corporate legal departments throughout the United States. Visit www.everslegal.com. His firm also offers experienced in-house counsel to companies on an adjunct basis.