Lawyers See Benefit in Professional Coaching

But lurking behind this mythology lies a stark reality: In today's economy, no one truly makes it on their own. Leading politicians, professional athletes and top-grossing musicians are surrounded by advisors who have been critical to their success.

Well-run corporations realize this. They know that talented managers are more likely to achieve peak performance if they have mentors.


In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, there is an increasing trend in top corporations towards hiring external coaches to work with senior level executives.

These executive coaches act as a sounding board and a reality check. They provide support, validation and resources and hold the executive accountable to his or her stated goals.

Professional coaching is spreading to the legal profession as well. A quick search of the Web will identify numerous consultants who offer coaching services to attorneys.

What Is Coaching?
Coaching is for individuals who want to raise their performance, increase their personal and professional happiness, and acquire missing skills that are necessary for success.

Attorneys can use a coach to work on any mix of professional and personal issues. Some attorneys choose to work on business development while others are looking for ways to achieve better work/life balance. Some want to become better managers while others seek coaching because they need help leaving the practice of law or finding a more fulfilling position within the law.

The theory behind coaching is simple. An individual might hire a personal trainer to help him develop and follow a fitness plan. A professional hires a coach to help clarify professional and personal goals and create an action plan for reaching these goals. Along the way, the coach provides support and serves as a resource to the professional.

The coach also helps the individual move past roadblocks so the individual can achieve the right balance in his or her life and make appropriate changes necessary to achieve this balance.

Why Attorney Coaching?
Attorneys are good subjects for coaching because they are results-oriented professionals. But like most busy professionals, it is hard for attorneys to consistently focus on things that are important, but not urgent.

In addition, while attorneys may get good training in lawyering in the early years of practice, they are less likely to get career guidance or guidance in developing a book of business.

Coaching picks up where traditional consulting leaves off. In a typical consulting relationship, a consultant will identify ways that you can achieve your desired objective. The end product is often a report detailing the steps that are necessary to achieve the desired outcome (e.g. more business). Sometimes a consultant will actually do the work for you.

If the consultant is simply identifying the necessary steps for you to achieve your desired objectives, this by itself is usually inadequate to get the desired results.

For example, suppose business generation is the objective. The consultant may suggest writing several articles a year, getting active in an industry group, starting a mailing list, developing relationships with the media, etc. The coach makes sure that over time, these things actually get done.

Overcoming The Obstacles To Good Listening
Exercise, meditation or other stress management techniques like yoga can help manage the stress of legal practice and lower the noise that might otherwise compromise your effectiveness.

The bottom line is that it pays to take care of yourself. Without exercise or some other activity that gives you a genuine break from work, you are compromising your ability to listen (and ultimately you are compromising your effectiveness as a professional service provider).

In the short term, you may be able to manage the "background noise" that comes with a high-pressure job without resorting to exercise. But if you do not take the time to calm some of this noise, eventually it will interfere with your ability to focus.

If any of this sounds too warm and fuzzy, then you can think of it as properly maintaining your professional equipment — your mind.

How Does Coaching Work?
The sports analogy is probably the easiest one to follow. Imagine that a coach observed a promising high school basketball player and came up with a list of recommendations for how the player could improve his game. If the coach left the player alone for two years to implement the changes on his own, no one would expect this player to get to the NBA.

Similarly, the key to success in business development or in a career change is sustained effort. A professional coach sticks with the attorney after the steps are identified and ensures that "it" (whatever "it" is) gets done.

It boils down to this: Many of us know what we need to do to lose weight, get in shape or make business connections. But are we going to do these things without any external pressure or is work going to always be the priority?

In truth, it is hard to explain in words what coaching is, because in practice there are a wide range of coaching models and styles. But there are some generalizations that can be made.

Executive coaches often charge a monthly fee and schedule weekly phone conferences with their clients. Fees can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars for very senior level managers.

At the start of the coaching process, many coaches will ask their clients to complete a number of exercises designed to help identify priorities. It is also typical for the coach and executive to meet in person at the beginning to help establish rapport.

Who Are Coaches?
At present, coaching is a relatively unregulated profession. Professionals come to coaching with a wide range of backgrounds. Attorneys often work with experienced members of the profession who have been through their own process and want to share what they have learned.

Coaches may also have a background in psychology or career counseling, and some may have been through a certification program offered by CoachU (see www.coachu.com for more information).

The bottom line is to find someone you feel you can work with and trust. Usually, this will mean finding someone who has been referred to you by someone else you trust.

Conclusion
A law degree can still open up a lot of doors for you, but real career satisfaction takes both hard work and planning. Having the degree and working in a good law firm are not enough.

Many of us do not take the time to reflect on what we really want. Some of us do not know what steps to follow to get what we want. Still others know the steps but cannot figure out how to rearrange their professional and personal lives to make room for these important but not urgent activities.

A coach can be the key ingredient in making things happen.


About Harrison Barnes

No legal recruiter in the United States has placed more attorneys at top law firms across every practice area than Harrison Barnes. His unmatched expertise, industry connections, and proven placement strategies have made him the most influential legal career advisor for attorneys seeking success in Big Law, elite boutiques, mid-sized firms, small firms, firms in the largest and smallest markets, and in over 350 separate practice areas.

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Most legal recruiters focus only on placing attorneys in large markets or specific practice areas, but Harrison places attorneys at all levels, in all practice areas, and in all locations-from the most prestigious firms in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., to small and mid-sized firms in rural markets. Every week, he successfully places attorneys not only in high-demand practice areas like corporate and litigation but also in niche and less commonly recruited areas such as:

• Immigration Law
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• And many more...

This breadth of placements is unheard of in the legal recruiting industry and is a testament to his extraordinary ability to connect attorneys with the right firms, regardless of market size or practice area.

Proven Success at All Levels

With over 25 years of experience, Harrison has successfully placed attorneys at over 1,000 law firms, including:

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He has also placed hundreds of law firm partners and has worked on firm and practice area mergers, helping law firms strategically grow their teams.

Unmatched Commitment to Attorney Success - The Story of BCG Attorney Search

Harrison Barnes is not just the most effective legal recruiter in the country, he is also the founder of BCG Attorney Search, a recruiting powerhouse that has helped thousands of attorneys transform their careers. His vision for BCG goes beyond just job placement; it is built on a mission to provide attorneys with opportunities they would never have access to otherwise. Unlike traditional recruiting firms, BCG Attorney Search operates as a career partner, not just a placement service. The firm's unparalleled resources, including a team of over 150 employees, enable it to offer customized job searches, direct outreach to firms, and market intelligence that no other legal recruiting service provides. Attorneys working with Harrison and BCG gain access to hidden opportunities, real-time insights on firm hiring trends, and guidance from a team that truly understands the legal market. You can read more about how BCG Attorney Search revolutionizes legal recruiting here: The Story of BCG Attorney Search and What We Do for You.

The Most Trusted Career Advisor for Attorneys

Harrison's legal career insights are the most widely followed in the profession.

• His articles on BCG Search alone are read by over 150,000 attorneys per month, making his guidance the most sought-after in the legal field. Read his latest insights here.
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With an unmatched track record of success, a vast team of over 150 dedicated employees, and a reach into every market and practice area, Harrison Barnes is the recruiter who makes career transformations happen and has the talent and resources behind him to make this happen.

A Relentless Commitment to Attorney Success

Unlike most recruiters who work with only a narrow subset of attorneys, Harrison Barnes works with lawyers at all stages of their careers, from junior associates to senior partners, in every practice area imaginable. His placements are not limited to only those with "elite" credentials-he has helped thousands of attorneys, including those who thought it was impossible to move firms, find their next great opportunity.

Harrison's work is backed by a team of over 150 professionals who work around the clock to uncover hidden job opportunities at law firms across the country. His team:

• Finds and creates job openings that aren't publicly listed, giving attorneys access to exclusive opportunities.
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A Legal Recruiter Who Changes Lives

Harrison believes that every attorney-no matter their background, law school, or previous experience-has the potential to find success in the right law firm environment. Many attorneys come to him feeling stuck in their careers, underpaid, or unsure of their next steps. Through his unique ability to identify the right opportunities, he helps attorneys transform their careers in ways they never thought possible.

He has worked with:

• Attorneys making below-market salaries who went on to double or triple their earnings at new firms.
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For attorneys who think their options are limited, Harrison Barnes has proven time and time again that opportunities exist-often in places they never expected.

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If you want to explore new career opportunities, Harrison Barnes and BCG Attorney Search are your best resources. Whether you are looking for a BigLaw position, a boutique firm, or a move to a better work environment, Harrison's expertise will help you take control of your future.

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Harrison's reach, experience, and proven results make him the best legal recruiter in the industry. Don't settle for an average recruiter-work with the one who has changed the careers of thousands of attorneys and can do the same for you.

About BCG Attorney Search

BCG Attorney Search matches attorneys and law firms with unparalleled expertise and drive, while achieving results. Known globally for its success in locating and placing attorneys in law firms of all sizes, BCG Attorney Search has placed thousands of attorneys in law firms in thousands of different law firms around the country. Unlike other legal placement firms, BCG Attorney Search brings massive resources of over 150 employees to its placement efforts locating positions and opportunities its competitors simply cannot. Every legal recruiter at BCG Attorney Search is a former successful attorney who attended a top law school, worked in top law firms and brought massive drive and commitment to their work. BCG Attorney Search legal recruiters take your legal career seriously and understand attorneys. For more information, please visit www.BCGSearch.com.