♫ Oh, put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;
Put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be Centerfield…♫

Lyrics, music and recorded by John Fogerty.

This is a guest post from Beth Flynn at the Ohio Leadership Center.  Increasingly today, younger lawyers are looking for mentorship and support from the more experienced members of the bar.  However, not everyone is familiar with how to be a good coach.  Accordingly I thought Beth’s post on the personal attributes and qualities of a winning coach would be a great management topic for lawyers.  So without further ado, here are the 14.5 attributes:

1. You have valuable information that people can use.
2. You combine your experience with the real world.
3. You have a sense of humor.
4. You know the game better than they do.
5. You encourage.
6. You are a great presenter.
7. You have standards and ethics that you follow, not just preach.
8. You are enthusiastic.
9. You have great communication skills.
10. Your players like you.
11. Your players believe in you.
12. You inspire others.
13. You tell the truth all the time.
14. Your players respect you.

14.5 You can play (Gitomer, 2011, p. 108-109).

These tips are from: Gitomer, J (2011), “Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Book of Leadership: The 12.5 Strengths of Responsible, Reliable, Remarkable Leaders that Create Results, Rewards and Resilience”. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley and Sons

Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Book of Leadaership is available from the OSU Leadership Center. Click here to borrow this resource or any other resource. Once you are on the OSU website, click on the Spectrum icon.

Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world at: http;//leadershipcenter.osu.edu.  To begin receiving Beth’s Leadership Moments newsletter, please click on Join Our Mailing List.

Thanks Beth for another great leadership post on how all of us can become winning coaches and mentors.

♬  You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be…♬

Music by Secret Garden‘s Rolf Løvland and the lyrics byBrendan Graham, recorded by Josh Groban.

This is a guest post from Beth Flynn’s Leadership Moments newsletter at the OSU Leadership Center. It speaks to how we can lift up others in our workplace and in so doing, uplift ourselves.

Make it unfashionable to be a downer.  Inspiration doesn’t survive in an energy-sapping context.  This doesn’t mean that tough realities are denied and not faced.

The electrifier always has a positive spin on a setback.  After all, inspiration stems from our spirit and our inner spirit is stronger than our outer circumstances.  Earlier we defined our spirit as our unlimited resource that transcends, and adds strength to our weary physical bodies and fragile psychological egos.  When our bodies and minds are down, an insight from our spirits gives us the jolt!

The first way of energizing our work environment is by inspiring the development of a culture of people who are filled with energy, hope and positive motivation.  Each person moves from the highest part of his or her mind, heart, and spirit (Losoncy & Walsh, 2011, p. 82).

♬  And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention…♬

Lyrics by Paul Anka and set to music based on the French song “Comme d’habitude” composed in 1967 by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, recorded by Frank Sinatra, “My Way“.

This is a guest post by Bronnie Ware.  I read it this weekend and immediately asked for permission to post it as a guest post, as I think this article has an important message that is particularly meaningful for lawyers and their families.  So in Bonnie’s words:

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five: (more…)

♬  Now, you got it, you’re wow, wow, wow, wow
You got it; you’re wow, wow, wow, wow…♬

Lyrics and music by: Kylie Minogue, Greg Kurstin and Karen Poole, recorded by Kylie Minogue.

This is another great guest post from Drago Adams from his Adams Ad Group Monday Morning Motivator email newsletter.  I loved the message in this post and thought of sharing it with all.  It is contagious.  I hope you enjoy it.

This week we share a message from Tomas Lydalh. Tomas’s message will not only help you in business, but will also make you the kind of person that people will just naturally gravitate to.

We’ve all heard about how important attitude is and how it affects us. I am sure you’ve heard of how much better you will feel when you look at the positive side of things… when you think positive thoughts, you will become a positive person. It is not always easy, however, to just change your attitude by trying to think positive thoughts. What if you did certain things, instead, that created positive feelings inside you?

Here is a short story that shows how certain actions will ensure a YES! Attitude - even if your day doesn’t start with a WOW! (more…)

♬ It would sure do me good, to do you good. Let me help …♬

Music, Lyrics and recorded by Billy Swan.

Dave and Lauren hiking in Banff

The Canadian Health Measures Survey, the most comprehensive survey ever conducted in Canada has recently found:

“That fitness levels of children and youth have declined significantly since 1981, regardless of age or sex. Fitness levels of adults have also declined, particularly among younger adults.”

A prominent Canadian researcher on obesity has stated that the figures in the CHMS study point to a country in crisis:

“Well, if you look at those numbers I’d be very surprised to see what actually qualifies as a national crisis if this does not,” said Dr. Arya Sharma, Chair of Obesity Studies at the University of Alberta and scientific director of the Canadian Obesity Network.

Further, the Canadian Press, reporting on this survey, stated:

“The survey suggests the proportion of Canadians with dangerously large waists went to 21 per cent from five per cent among men, and to 31 per cent from six per cent among women.” (more…)

♬ Seize the day or die regretting the time you lost…♬

Lyrics and music by: M. Shadows, The Rev, recorded by Avenged Sevenfold.

Seize the Day

This is another “Leadership Moments” guest post by Beth Flynn of the Ohio Leadership Center.

Roman leaders coined the phrase, Carpe diem, which translates to seize the day.  Skilled leaders know the necessity of proactivity.  They understand and appreciate that every moment in each day holds opportunities.  Individuals with clear mind, who focus on the present moment, can envision, create, serve and produce with grace and skill.

An old Buddhist proverb states that each day is a miniature version of your entire life.  Each day will hold opportunities, gains, obstacles, and perhaps frustration.  People’s perspective determines how they view these events.  Individuals determine how they may use their time, energy, and focus (Schantz, p. 96).

From: Schantz, M. (2008).  75 principles of conscious leadership: inspired skills for 21st century business. Bandon, OR: Robert D. Reed Publishers.

75 Principles of Conscious Leadership is available from the OSU Leadership Center.  Click here to borrow this resource or any other resource.  Once you are on the OSU website, click on the Spectrum icon. Learn how the Ohio State University Leadership Center is inspiring others to take a leadership role that empowers the world.

To begin receiving Leadership Moments please click on Join Our Mailing List.

Thanks Beth for another great leadership post on how we can make the most of the day by focusing on the moment!

♬  Hey, look around it’s all so clear
Hey, wherever we were going, well we’re here
Hey, so many things I never thought I’d see
Happening right in front of me..♬

Lyrics and music by Chris DuBois and Brad Paisley, recorded by Brad Paisley, “Welcome to the Future”.

2012 Happy New Year

In this third and final collection of tips and predictions for 2012, we turn first to my good friend and colleague, Steve Gallagher. Steve has been one of those rare individuals who has kept a perspective on where the legal profession is and is going.  Accordingly, I though it was appropriate that we start with his views in this final post of 2011 on what will be happening in 2012:

Stephen P Gallagher: “Coping with Change”:

(a)  A Law Practice Management Perspective:

My primary business these days is coaching Lawyers in Transition, so from my vantage point,  I see large geographic areas throughout Canada and the United States that will have no practicing lawyers within hundreds of miles. At the same time, law school graduates will cluster around metropolitan areas looking for entry-level positions primarily to pay off law school debt. I would like to think that our talented young professionals will start looking for opportunities with baby boomers, particularly in more rural areas of the country to continue the tradition of serving the public.

(b)  Legal Technology:

I’ve follow the writing of Sherryl Turkle, a psychologist and director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Initiative on Technology and Self.  Professor Turkel is concerned about how we may be losing things that Thoreau thought were essential to discovering an identity. Professor Turkle claims to be teaching the most brilliant students in the world (at MIT). She claims that they have done themselves a disservice by drinking the Kool-Aid and believing that a multitasking learning environment will serve their best purposes.

I too am concerned about this “multitasking learning environment” for lawyers.

For a Frontline interview, Digital Nation, Professor Turkle was quoted as saying, “She thinks that we’re living in a culture where we’re really not sure what kind of attention we owe each other. People put their cell phones on the table now. They don’t turn them off.” She goes on to say that, “One of my students talked about the first time he was walking with friends, and they received a cell phone call, and they took the call. And he said: “What was I, on pause?” I felt I was being put on pause.” Sheryl Turkle thinks that we’re socially negotiating what kind of attention we feel we owe each other.”

This flat out scares me. We owe each other more. (more…)

♬ See your heart will lead you where you want to be, but your head will lead you where you ought to be.
But which will lead you where you’re meant to be? ♬

Lyrics, music and recorded by K’LA.

2012 New Years

This is Part 2 in the 2012 Tips and Predictions series where I have asked my good friends and colleagues to contribute their best ideas for the New Year. Accordingly without further ado:

Dr. Frank Fowlie: “Future Shock” predictions:

1. Consumers will no longer be forced to call their credit card company  to deal with “unknown” charges.  No more phone tress, no more wait times…You’ll be able to go to your bank’s credit card website and fill in a form online, the bank will handle it from there.
2. When you buy something online and there’s something wrong with the purchase, you’ll be able to go to a single portal for goods sold in Canada, and start a redress process online, at your convenience.  This is less Future Shock, as the European Union has already created a regulation which makes this possible across Europe.  Like “chip” cards did in the past, the technology will migrate from Europe to Canada.
3. Small Claims Courts in Canada will move towards Online Dispute Resolution to more effectively and efficiently manage the court processes.  There will be a new wave of computer literate judges who hear and settle cases online.
4. Courts of equity will look to technology to handle small value claims.  Online Dispute Resolution will replace hearings in matters where the value is the same or lower than the Small Claims Court limit.
5. Law firms will publish hourly rates on their websites to allow for consumer choices.  Consumers will be able to search out legal services in  the same way they look for other commodities online.
6. Lawyers will begin to sell “Boutique services” allowing consumers to handle some part of their own legal matters.  Some lawyers will develop practices which simply “guide” lay litigants, as opposed to forcing the lay litigant into court with representation.
7. Legal Zoom, or some like entity, will set up shop in Canada.  Legal services outsourcing becomes a market drive out of India and Ireland.
8. The public can make complaints against lawyers using an online platform, perhaps to an independent body.

Dr. Frank Fowlie, www.internetombudsman.biz.

Judge Monty Ahalt ( Ret.): “Warp Speed”:

As the year closes out and some say the decade there is always a clamour for the folks to know what is in store for the next year. Some will look at last year and make resolutions. My Life now breaks down into three areas:

1. Court centered ADR and case management as a recalled Circuit Court Judge now counting 30 years.
2. A Mediator/Arbitrator now counting about 45 years – www.montyahalt.com.
3. Founder and CEO of VirtualCourthouse.com – leading ODR provider – now counting 10 years -   www.VirtualCourthouse.com

Each area has it’s unique challenges and will experience new horizons in 2012. While I do not pretend to be Carnac the Magnificent of Johnny Carson days  there are some new happenings that seem to be clearly presenting themselves for the coming year. (more…)

♬ What’s happenin brothers and sisters?
Welcome to our time…♬

Lyrics, music and recorded by NAS.

Happy New Year 2012

Last year on Dec. 31, 2010 I posted a Top 10 Legal Tech Predictions for 2011.  This year I asked my very good friends and colleagues to contribute their top Tips and Predictions for 2012 thinking that this would be a great way to get some perspective on the New Year. The response has been overwhelming! Accordingly, here is Part 1 of a three-part blog post containing their top advice and predictions for the coming year.  But this isn’t the end – I will add in my own tips and predictions for 2012 at the end of Part 3 (can’t help but go out on a limb as well) and ask that you, good readers, add in your own tips and predictions by way of comments on the three blog posts.

Accordingly, here are Part 1 of the Tips and Predictions for 2012!

Karen MacKay:  Change is Neigh…

There will be more change in Canadian law firms in 2012 than we have seen in the last 3 years. In Canada, we will see more mergers and spinoffs.  Lots of change happened in the USA in 2011 that was forced on them by the economy.  The difference between what happened in the USA and Canada will be: The change in Canada will be created by strategic decisions within firms seeking opportunities rather than the financial change that was forced on the American firms.

Karen MacKay MBA CHRP, Phoenix Legal Inc., direct 416.657.2997, mobile 416.904.4848, e-mail kmackay@phoenix-legal.com, www.phoenix-legal.com.

Mitch Kowalski: 2012 – A Turning Point for the Canadian Legal Profession?

When I ran for Bencher in Ontario earlier this year (and was utterly thrashed at the polls!) I did so because I believed that the next ten years are critical to the future of the legal profession. Six months later, my view has not changed.

All over Canada, the legal profession faces challenges it has never faced in the past – and the challenges will only become more numerous. Richard Susskind was right on point when he wrote, “Law does not exist to provide a livelihood for lawyers any more than illness exists to provide a livelihood for doctors. Successful legal business may be a by-product of law . . . but it is not the purpose.”

As lawyers we must constantly earn our right to retain a monopoly over the practice of law. It should never be assumed that we will always have the exclusive right to give legal advice, prepare legal documents, close transactions or even appear in court. One just has to look to the U.K.’s Legal Services Act which is dramatically transforming that jurisdiction’s legal profession. Or, take a look to Australia with Slater & Gordon being the only publically-traded law firm in the world – a firm that was once based on a strong litigation practice but is now aggressively moving into commercial practice areas.

Canada cannot remain an island of lawyer-exclusivity for long – particularly if the legal profession shows itself to be incapable of coming up with creative and efficient ways to make legal services better, faster and cheaper. The commercial pressures of the global economy are too great to ignore and lawyers who stick their heads in the sand will become the dodo birds of the 21st century.

I hope that 2012 will be a watershed year in which meaningful change will finally commence to surface throughout Canada’s legal profession. The following are eight predictions of what can (and should) occur over the next 12 months. (more…)

♬ Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more…♬

Music composed by Hugh Martin, lyrics by Ralph Blane, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”.

At is my tradition at this time of year, I would like to take a moment and wish each and everyone the Best of the Holiday Season and a Wonderful and Happy New Year. We are living in difficult and challenging times and I think it is more important that ever to keep our friends and those dear to us close and remind them how they bring meaning to our lives.

To all I hope for Peace, Hope and Happiness. I hope your dreams become goals and your goals become realities in the New Year.

As my gift to you, I offer a few minutes of music and images, a time of solitude and reflection. This slide show combines two of my loves – music and photography. All images have all been taken during the last 12 months and on a variety of cameras, including an iPad2.

I hope this slide show and music (please turn your speakers on) brings to you a time of calm, joy and peace. The music is: “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”; music by Hugh Martin, lyrics by Ralph Blane, and is performed by the Argyle Alumni Choir, Argyle Senior Secondary School, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, copyright Frances Roberts, Director. Used with permission. I hope you enjoy the combination of the music and the images. If you have difficulty playing the video, you can always click here and go to the video on ScreenCast.com.

Best wishes for a safe holiday filled with warmth, comfort, friendship and good cheer!

(For those interested, the slide show was created originally in PowerPoint then turned into a video file using Camtasia 2 on a MacBook, then uploaded to ScreenCast.com).