Lawyers & Success: The White Space

Notice that those analyzing the Trump administration delve directly into their power strategies. Not the 20th-century default of putting the key movers and shakers on the couch. That is, engaging in psychobabble about them such as "They seem needy/egotistical/narcissistic." 

Also, those discussions of power are out in the open. About 10 years ago Stanford Graduate School of Business star professor Jeffrey Pfeffer still was describing the role of power in the workplace as a kind of dirty secret. Sort of taboo to talk about.

Well, there's no longer any secret.

Bios of chair of elite law firm Paul, Weiss Brad Karp blast that he's a power broker in New York City, heavyweight fundraiser in politics, former lobbyist and has the contacts to get invited to places like the White House. In college Karp majored in political science, not psychology or economics. Before going to law school he toyed with the option of heading straight to a career in Congress. 

But that doesn't mean that many of those in the erudite field of practicing law truly appreciate that the "white space" - that is, where the opportunity is - gets entered through power. Law is a sharp-elbowed line of work. In the untapped white space it's possible to manuever unbloodied. Some of us Karp Watchers size that up as a component of his long stretch of success. Typically he gets in first and with touches of glam.

Plenty can go on in the white space. That can range from becoming skilled in navigating others' power to establishing one's own unique power bases. 

Actually, it was Pfeffer himself who felt the need to preach to law students on this YouTube segment that technical skills were not enough to succeed in the practice of law. They had to get down the seven rules of power. According to Pfeffer, here they are verbatim:

1) Get out of your own way
2) Break the rules.
3) Show up in powerful fashion.
4) Create a powerful brand.
5) Network relentlessly.
6) Use your power.
7) Understand that once you have acquired power, what you did to get it will be forgiven, forgotten, or both.

Even in the supposed powerless ordeal of being junior lawyers those who leverage these concepts manage splendidly the "divine right of kings" realities. They aren't the ones posting on Reddit/Fishbowl Big Law that they're:

Losing their mental/physcial health

Keeping out of the politics

Can't shake loose assignments from partners/senior associates

Seeking balance, including not checking emails on weekends. 

Been  blindsided in an annual review

Consumed with worry about one (serious) mistake.

For those willing to invest in continual enhancement of power strategies there can be so many career highs. That's because of all the opportunities hiding in plain side in the white space.

In coaching lawyers I guide them to outgrow their isolated academic selves who believed in individualist hard work and the one-dimensional pursuit of excellence. 

Tips welcome. Bylined articles/op-eds also. Please contact Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com or text 203-468-8579.

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

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