Marcie Borgal Shunk

Smart Strategy

It is a hot, hot summer and tensions are high. A bevy of seemingly never-ending factors—from the pandemic to social anxiety to political tensions—have people's amygdala—the "fight or flight" response center—working overtime. This constant state of high alert not only is personally draining, but also is a palpable threat to individual health, relationships, organizational productivity and long-term success. Pile on talent shortages and sizable workloads, and the situation is fast reaching a boiling point.

Law firm leaders are experiencing this heightened state of anxiety at multiple levels. Personally, many leaders feel ill-equipped to manage the stressors of guiding a multi-million or -billion-dollar organization on top of personal challenges. Those attempting to grow a practice simultaneously are even more strapped. Relationally, leaders are being pulled—often unwillingly—into highly emotional and sometimes contentious debates among partners and senior professionals. Political debate and disagreements over flexible work policies, in particular, are evoking a special kind of tension. Organizationally, leaders are aiming to move toward more inclusive workplaces at a time when the very premise of effective culture—safety—is at a remarkable low. The struggle is real.

This confluence of factors is leaving many leaders feeling equally frustrated, burnt out, exasperated, agitated and hopeless. At the outset of the pandemic, in early 2020, fully 37% of the top leader roles in AmLaw 200 firms were occupied by individuals who had been in the role for less than three years according to research by The Tilt Institute for Law.com Pro. Similarly, as of 2019, just two in three law firms offered any leadership training to partners with even fewer—just 32%—delivering a dedicated program on leadership. It is no wonder the constancy and strain of leading during this time of incessant, imposed change is so daunting. Few leaders in law firms have the experience or preparation to tackle today's challenges (challenges, which, notably, are taxing for even the most effective, experienced leaders).