Becoming a Law Firm Partner (along with other career paths) - This Is Not School

"You become partner via a combination of by being another partner’s bitch, internal politics, and luck. Being a decent lawyer and doing good work has little to do with it and it was probably easier to do those things in the 80s and 90." - Reddit Big Law, July 2024

This perspective probably applies to most kinds of success once we leave the unique meritocracy of formal education. After we size up what the instructors really want and we labor very hard to deliver that we can do well. 

That is usually not the situation when we go out there to earn a living. For that reason the rite of passage from school to work is often quite the ordeal. What plays out is the old adage: The "C" students become the bosses of the "A" students. 

When the "A" students were booking it the "C" students were investing in learning how the world operates. They competed in sports. They ran for school leadership positions. They might have started a business in the dorm. They understood the dynamics of power and what levers to pull.

Post-pandemic in this era of extreme efficiency it has become more difficult to get, hold and move on to better work. That means this: In-person "sucking up" has become increasingly important. Yes, pony up the money to attend the conference in which someone you need access to is giving an address. Afterwards include details of that speech in a blog post, podcast or YouTube video and email it to that speaker.  Incorporate that sort of strategy into your SuccessMO.

Do favors, with no expectation of immediate reward. Believe me, people remember.  There is even a term for that: Making deposits in the Favor Bank and thinking carefully about making withdrawals. 

Shun gossip. Whatever you say on a bad day about a power player will get back to them. 

Do plenty of self-regulation. Not need to over-assert yourself or be a pit bull guarding your boundaries. If the whatever is that bad you can decide to walk away effectively. 

As a coach I observe so much unnecessary suffering because of the assumption that all that is necessary in a career is to do the work well - and plenty of it.

In business and life you usually have only one shot at whatever. Up the odds of success with Jane Genova. I am an intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)