Responding to Criticism: Survival Strategies

These problems are compounded by the fact that most partners receive little training in the art of personnel management. The end product is predictable: While some partners learn how to give constructive feedback, there are others who, at best, are insensitive in handing out criticism.

You may be fortunate to work with partners who give you the feedback you need to grow as a lawyer. If you work in a large firm, however, chances are reasonable that you will also encounter partners who are quick to point out your shortcomings and slow to hand out praise.


How you respond to this negative feedback is important. Your standing at the firm will be impacted a lot by your ability to act professionally when criticism is given.
In this article, I will provide some strategies for dealing with harsh criticism. While, ultimately, you may conclude that you would like to work in a more supportive environment, these strategies may help you to excel in the face of psychological adversity.

Not understanding how to respond in an appropriate manner may dramatically cut short your stay and deprive you of a great opportunity to develop your legal skills.

A Few Words About Sept. 11
Before I offer these survival tips, I would like to say a quick word about our collective survival in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack. September 11 reminds us to focus on what is really important in our lives (e.g., our health, our family, our friends, our good fortune to live in the land of plenty, our interests outside of work). I know I have redoubled my own efforts to spend time with my children.

Certainly, we find fulfillment in life from having our basic needs met, through meaningful relationships and by finding a good balance between work and our extracurricular interests.

But most of us who chose to go to law school did so because we wanted more than a job. We were ambitious enough to attend college and law school for seven years. In short, work is a very important part of our identity and needs attention as well.

I do not mean to suggest that career satisfaction should come at the expense of family and friends; rather, it is OK to pursue career satisfaction in concert with cultivating these other important aspects of our lives.

If anything, Sept. 11 reminds us that life is too short to spend in a job that you dislike. "What is really important" includes being sure that we have some level of professional fulfillment (or are on our way to getting it).

Dealing With Difficult Partners
1. Don't Engage In Battle
The first strategy in dealing with a difficult partner is to be a good listener and stay above the fray. Probably the worst thing you could do when a partner criticizes your work is to get defensive.

Hear what the partner is saying. Ask open-ended questions that help to clarify the partner's concerns. But don't argue with the partner even if you are sure he or she is wrong.

Then take the time to process the criticism after the partner has gone. If you need to vent, do so out of the office environment with trusted friends or family.

2. Don't Be Passive; Rather, Be Assertive
While you should avoid confrontation with a partner at all costs, that does not mean you should remain passive (or start getting passive-aggressive).

If you did not receive adequate background in order to do the job properly and you are criticized for the results, you need to do something about this. If you allow the partner to chastise you for something that was not your fault, then you are giving tacit approval to the partner to treat you like this in the future.

When emotions have cooled, you can ask the partner for a few minutes of her time. Acknowledge that the job was not done properly and ask how you can do better the next time.

Do not blame the partner for not giving you enough of the facts. Simply indicate that you thought the assignment was "x" rather than "y" and you would like to think of ways to avoid this happening in the future (e.g., suggest that next time you will give a quick e-mail update to the partner to make sure you are on the right track).

3. Focus On The Substance Of The Criticism Rather Than The Delivery
No one likes to be yelled at or treated with disrespect. It is degrading to have another adult treat us like a child. Most of us begin to tune out criticism when it feels like a personal attack.

But hidden behind a crazed tirade may be some important suggestions for improving your legal work. After you have had time to cool off, think about whether there is anything you can learn from the experience.

Try to separate the message from the messenger. Once you strip away the personal attack, is there anything left that merits your attention?

4. Find Out What Other Associates Have Experienced
While you do not want to become the source of bad morale in your firm, it is OK to live by the credo that "misery loves company." It should comfort you to some extent to know that other associates have had similar experiences with this partner.

Take their comments to heart (not so you can foment associate discord but in order to find some solace and not take the criticism personally).

5. Realize That The Partner's Tone Or Behavior May Have Nothing To Do With You
Non-verbal communication and voice intonation can tell us a lot about what a person is feeling (e.g., angry, frustrated, let down). But non-verbal cues do not tell us why someone may feel a certain way.

The following story is illustrative. A woman was sitting on a train in New York City when a man and three children got on. Shortly after they entered the train, the children became pretty loud and wild. The woman looked at the man who did nothing. Finally she asked the man why he wasn't doing anything to control his children. The man replied in a sad voice that they had just come from the hospital where the mother had died. (Kind of changes your perspective of the man's behavior.)

The point of this story is that we all draw false conclusions based on someone's demeanor (e.g., the partner is yelling at me because he does not think I am very smart or hardworking; when in fact the partner is under tremendous pressure to finish a deal so that he can leave on vacation with his family).

While emotional outbursts should not be condoned in the workplace and are a demoralizing and destructive way to manage any employee, you will be less affected if you acknowledge that something other than your performance might be at the root of a partner's behavior.

Conclusion
Getting criticized in a large firm can be particularly challenging to the ego. If you made it into a large firm, then you probably take some pride in your own intellect. Having someone question your abilities in an aggressive manner can be painful.

But large firms are high-pressure work environments and everyone is bound to receive some unwanted criticism. The secret to success in handling this criticism is to strip away the emotions and focus on the facts.

This is easier said than done, but you will be a lot happier if you continue to work at this rather than looking for positive feedback from someone who may not know how to give it.


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.

A Reach Unlike Any Other Legal Recruiter

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
• Workers Compensation
• Insurance
• Family Law
• Trust and Estate
• Municipal law
• 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:

• Top Am Law 100 firms such including Sullivan and Cromwell, and almost every AmLaw 100 and AmLaw 200 law firm.
• Elite boutique firms with specialized practices
• Mid-sized firms looking to expand their practice areas
• Growing firms in small and rural markets

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.
• He has conducted hundreds of hours of career development webinars, available here: Harrison Barnes Webinar Replays.
• His placement success is unmatched-see examples here: Harrison Barnes' Attorney Placements.
• He has created numerous comprehensive career development courses, including BigLaw Breakthrough, designed to help attorneys land positions at elite law firms.

Submit Your Resume to Work with Harrison Barnes

If you are serious about advancing your legal career and want access to the most sought-after law firm opportunities, Harrison Barnes is the most powerful recruiter to have on your side.

Submit your resume today to start working with him: Submit Resume Here

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.
• Works closely with candidates to ensure their resumes and applications stand out.
• Provides ongoing guidance and career coaching to help attorneys navigate interviews, negotiations, and transitions successfully.

This level of dedicated support is unmatched in the legal recruiting industry.

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.
• Senior attorneys who believed they were "too experienced" to make a move and found better roles with firms eager for their expertise.
• Attorneys in small or remote markets who assumed they had no options-only to be placed at strong firms they never knew existed.
• Partners looking for a better platform or more autonomy who successfully transitioned to firms where they could grow their practice.

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.

Submit Your Resume Today - Start Your Career Transformation

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.

Submit Your Resume Here to get started with Harrison Barnes today.

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.