By Kimberly Hunt Lee, Partner at McCabe and Mack LLP
If there is one piece of advice I might offer to an aspiring attorney, it is this: develop strong communication skills!
At the heart of our success at McCabe and Mack LLP is a shared belief that every exchange we have with clients, colleagues, and our community is important. In addition to bringing certain guiding principles to our professional conversations (whether in a board room or courtroom), we likewise use them to enrich our personal relationships as well.
Here are my top four:
Listen
All too often, people are quickly crafting a response in their heads while the person with whom they are speaking is still talking! As attorneys, we MUST stay present as a client is sharing. If we are distracted by our own line of thinking, we can miss a critically important piece of information. The same holds true when we are with friends and family; active listening allows us to empathize, provides us with more detail, and helps us gain a deeper understanding of the speaker’s perspective.
Convey messages with confidence
When facing opposing counsel, a lawyer must present as poised and self-assured. We send messages through our body language, tone, and our ability to speak with conviction; if we believe in what we are saying, people believe in us. This is also true in our personal lives; we more effectively engage others when we communicate with confidence.
Set clear expectations
Every day, attorneys are tasked with the responsibility of keeping clients and colleagues in the loop. This helps build morale, mitigate stress, and gives everyone at the metaphorical table the opportunity to feel prepared and comfortable. We all know that clarity can create greater harmony at home as well; most people like to know what is expected of them and what they can expect from those around them. Simply put, clear expectations help foster meaningful relationships that are rooted in trust.
Communicate frequently
Much of my time is devoted to checking in with clients and colleagues. We discuss the status of each case, what research is underway, how things are going, what action steps need to be taken, and more. Regular calls, e-mails, and meetings make each client feel valued. The same holds true for loved ones and community members; we all deserve to feel prioritized.
It has been said that the quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives – and it all begins with connected communication. As an attorney, I would defend that point!
Learn more about Kimberly Hunt Lee, Partner at McCabe and Mack LLP, by visiting https://mccm.com/kimberly-hunt-lee. Call 845-486-6894 to schedule a consultation.