Name: Sheila Murphy

Category: In-House: Lifetime Achievement

Firm/Company: Focus Forward Consulting

Title: Founder

Time in Position: Since 2018 (former General Counsel of MetLife for 24 years)

What was your route to the top?

I started as a litigation associate at Thacher Proffitt & Wood. Through the power of my network, I obtained a legal position at MetLife, which afforded me many opportunities to develop—as long as I was willing to volunteer and step out of my comfort zone, which I was. I leveraged these opportunities into greater responsibilities and when I retired from MetLife I was a [senior vice president] and associate general counsel. While at MetLife, I created a reputation as someone who cares deeply about developing talent and did so successfully. I was also known as a champion of diversity and inclusion, which I firmly believe is needed to create strong and successful organizations. Today, as a coach and career consultant, I specialize in lawyers (both inside and outside counsel) and law firms and departments with a particular focus on the skills and attributes essential to business and career development, including building a strong network and memorable professional brand. My passion is helping individuals and businesses realize their full potential. In particular, I want to help women succeed in the business of law.

What keeps you up at night?

As a profession, we have not done enough to promote diversity and inclusion. The profession needs to take a hard look at what organizational barriers exist that are stymieing the progression of women and people of color. We need to address items such as assignment systems, feedback, performance reviews, mentors, sponsors and succession planning. We also need to make sure that diverse individuals know how to navigate legal professions and to invest in themselves and their careers. This lack of diversity makes the legal profession less innovative and effective. Those firms that succeed in diversity and inclusion will be at a competitive advantage.

What is the best leadership advice you've given, or received, and why do you think it was effective?

Leadership is never about you. It is about the team and the organization and you must do and speak up for what is right. Being a leader means helping others find the greatness in themselves and motivating them to accomplish extraordinary things and be the best they can. This cannot happen if they do not believe you stand for what is right and ethical. The reason this is effective is that no one person accomplishes anything great on their own. It takes many people with a diversity of viewpoints to achieve something truly great. Many of the best ideas that happened on a project were not mine. They were from the team and if there was not an atmosphere that inspired people to engage and where they felt their ideas were valued, those ideas would have been lost, and we would not have achieved all that we can. A leader inspires and develops talent to create a pipeline that benefits both the organization and the individuals.

Looking back, what do you wish you had known when you started out in the legal profession?

The biggest key to success is to know your value and the fact that you are worth investing in. I wish I had known at the beginning of my career and that I had spent the time developing my career. By this I mean I would have spent less time with my head down doing my work and more time building up my network, learning about my industry and other skills, including management and leadership, that would make me more valuable. I also wished I understood that my legal skills alone would make me successful, but that other skills would have a greater impact on my career. Skills such as communication skills, emotional intelligence, the ability to read a room, empathy and business and industry acumen helped drive my career as much as my legal skills did. To be successful, you must understand your worth and that you are worth investing in.

What is the most valuable career advice anyone has ever given you?

"Take it easy on yourself and be yourself." As women, we are sometimes overly self-critical and do not see the value that we bring to the table. Give yourself a break and see yourself through others' eyes, you will be pleasantly surprised.