Whitney McCaslin Laughlin, deputy general counsel of AMN Healthcare.

Name: Whitney McCaslin Laughlin

Category: In-House: Collaborative Leadership

Firm/Company: AMN Healthcare

Title: Deputy General Counsel

Time in Position: Since 2011

What was your route to the top?

I started my career in California Superior Court, where I was exposed to all types of civil cases and all caliber of attorneys. Most importantly, I worked for a judge who engaged me in rigorous intellectual and practical discussions about both substantive legal issues and the practice of law. I saw the impact of the law and the lawyers every day. I then moved to the San Diego office of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, where my practice focused on employment litigation. In 2006, I joined the in-house legal team at AMN, and focused on employment-related issues. I often say that this was a dream job for an employment lawyer since, as the nation's largest health care staffing company, "employment" was our business. Opportunities to expand my experience to other aspects of the business came quickly, including work on acquisitions, legal sales and operations support, litigation management and more. In 2011, I was named deputy general counsel. In this role, I advise on legal issues related to workforce management, sales, operations, and business development/acquisitions. I also provide strategic and operational oversight for AMN's Ethics and Compliance programs and have the privilege of leading an incredibly talented team of attorneys and legal and compliance professionals. In addition, I have a category of responsibilities that I call "random," which is often the most interesting of all my responsibilities!

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

Like many, I have been fortunate to have great mentors and colleagues that have been role models and influenced how I approach leadership. My most effective leaders have lead with a combination of encouragement and challenge. They listened. They communicated the vision, the reasons and the value of decisions and actions. They empowered their teams and gave them credit. Finally, they were passionate in helping their team members to achieve their professional and personal goals (which is AMN's purpose). I strive to inspire, instill confidence and trust, and ensure my team feels valued, and I spend the time and energy needed to get to know and appreciate my team, both professionally and personally.

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

The value of financial acumen, not only in my in-house role, but throughout my practice. I've been fortunate to have had [the] opportunity, experience and mentors to help me develop this along the way, but had I fully understood this earlier, I would have taken classes or otherwise pursued education in this area early on.

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

To be both courageous and ambitious in building the career you want, resisting temptation and pressure (from yourself and others) to follow a predesigned path. Build a career in the way that is going to fulfill your interests, satisfy your curiosities, support your values and grow you as a person.