B School Elective on How to Stay Out of Jail, JD on Power

Ever since Harvard B School alumnus Jeff Skilling went to prison there has been this suggestion: Graduate schools of business should introduce an elective on how to stay out of jail. The training in such institutions of higher learning can equip players to be too clever by far in boosting profits and stock prices, just like Skilling.

Now, with the coming of the Trump era with its focus on power, it seems imperative that JD schools put together electives on how to navigate power, both within an organization and externally. 

The one for internal survival is way overdue. Otherwise you wouldn't encounter those postings on Reddit and Fishbowl about how associates are setting boundaries with partners, then lamenting that they are being frozen out. Obviously they didn't understand the power of partners and that they have to conform. That goes way back to Erving Goffman's fundamental in "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life." The entity with the most power sets the terms and conditions for the interaction.

Externally that is equally important, especially for students who intend to be transactional lawyers. To get a merger approved, for example, they have to interact with myriad government agencies. Those currently are controlled by Trump favorites. 

It's exactly that power reality which some speculate drove law firms with heavyweight transactional practices like Paul Weiss and Kirkland & Ellis to cut deals with the administration. Those understanding the dynamics of power wouldn't have balked about the nature of the negotiations. Those weren't just about the front end. They pertain to ongoing business. 

Courses about power in JD school also might attract both leaders and brandname partners in elite law firms.  They might find it useful to swing back to campus. They might have that fulfill continuing education credits. 

If they had had that instruction, for example, they might have calculated more accurately pre-election a Trump win. And then contributed more funds to the GOP and not been so high-profile in their support of the Democrats. Power entails smart hedging. The tragic flaw of too many in power is they underestimate the reach of their opponents' power. 

In my coaching when clients are upset about a work issue the first question I ask is: Who has the power? Then we go on from there about putting together a solution. I give them a copy of the classic on power strategies "The Power Game" by Hedrick Smith.

Of course, you need to earn a good living. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and startups. Complimentary consultation with Intuitive Coach Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com).