Today’s lawyers can face burnout and pushback when attempting to make their way in the corporate world, soon realizing that they need to use a combination of emotion and reason in their practices. Below, I talk to three experts who have guidance and wise words for anyone looking to step into the corporate world today or for those learning how both emotional and mental health play a pivotal part in the job.
A Seat At The Boardroom Table
The conversation with Marla Persky, CEO and president of WOMN LLC, is an exciting discussion of the difficulties faced by lawyers trying to get on corporate boards and why these difficulties need to change for modern lawyers. The company Persky runs is all about helping women succeed in law, which they do by increasing their knowledge of financial drivers, client development, and leadership. She speaks about how companies can benefit from adding a lawyer to their boards rather than just relying on their in-house general counsel. She also discusses the path she took to serving on a board. Persky touches on many points, including how sitting on a board can be a fulfilling career move if you have a passion for business.
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Workplace Mental Health
Emma Sharma is the chief administrative officer and general counsel for Valiant Integrated Services. Emma has a passion for organizational design, psychology, and development and is also a devoted advocate for mental health issues in the workplace. The pandemic saw a great influx in mental illness affecting people, especially due to stress and loss. Our discussion includes why the stigma persists in today’s society and why people have a hard time talking about common things like mental illness. Sharma talks openly about her struggles with PTSD, in addition to sharing practical tips and a message of hope for a life free from mental illness. She believes that a full recovery is possible with a strong support network, empathy, and understanding. It is a brave and powerful message.
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Emotion in Today’s Law
It has always been a lawyer’s job to present the facts so that others can make decisions based on logic and reason. That said, there is room for emotion in practicing law in the present day. Jay Harrington of Harrington Communication explains the importance of emotion in our conversation regarding thought-leadership content. As the president of one of the leading thought-leadership marketing agencies for the professional services industry, he has written four books and hosts a podcast about how we are all driven by emotion. Harrington tells us what storytelling is and why it matters, laying out the frameworks for telling stories that engage audiences. Jay proposes that, for people to become interested in buying what you have to sell, they first must be interested in you individually. He talks about packaging your expertise in a story that sells.
Whether you’re pushing to join a corporate board, fighting work fatigue, or learning how to establish a connection with your clients in a meaningful way, there is so much information out there beyond what was covered in law school. The three episodes and conversations above prove several essential things. First, there is room at the corporate table for the modern lawyer. The second is that there has to be an understanding and acceptance of the mental toll this career takes. And the third is that harnessing emotion is powerful, and, when combined with logic and reason, it is a tool every lawyer should be using.
Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.