I sit at my new shiny desk, pens in a row and my with my fancy wheelie chair, which to be honest is really uncomfortable as I can't work out how to adjust it right. The hallmarks of self-assured trainee who has completed a year are all over my new professional home; my desk. Self-assured trainee knew how to do everything; she knew how to answer the phone; she knew how to complete tasks on time- hey she even had time to write a crib sheets of how to do things and adjusted the chair beyond adjustment!
In honour of adjustment, after the third week of my training contract, I went to a forum aimed at trainees at the Law Society. I thought it would be a nice day out to a posh building and have a catch up with some old LPC friends, who are now training at other firms. I did get to go to a posh building and catch up with old friends, but I also got a surprising opportunity to re-evaluate how I'm doing working with others so far on the training contract. My re-evaluation came in the form of a talk on body language and making an impact by a guy called Steve Weiner. I identified straight away with the scared deer description of a trainee who has a question barked across at them: "Follow these complicated instructions- and I'll make you feel 1 inch tall if you ask a question or get any aspect of this wrong." Yeah I identify with the deer- that frozen scared expression.
I suddenly feel like all common sense, vocabulary, articulation, evidence of my 2:1 Law degree or even evidence of any intelligence has flown out the window and been replaced by this four legged mammal struggling under her own weight. As Steve Weiner described this situation, I was relieved to see a roomful of trainees nodding in agreement- they've had a deer moment with their training partners too...
On that then, I figured this was a regular feeling for a young trainee walking into the bear pit of the law firm, so I thought I'd share with you all my talk on how to be less like the deer and more like the bear. By this I don't mean squaring up to your boss- not a good tactic. These strategies are more about being more confident, self aware and comfortable in your environment. Your firm may not let you loose on clients straight away so your way of providing services to clients is to see your training partners as your client and help them out whilst challenging yourself and learning along the way. From my A'Level drama days, I learned that status is an important aspect of learning about characterisation. Behaving with higher status in a deer situation will always give you a confidence boost to take you back from that quivering 4-legged wreck to... Yourself.
1. Long and Low:
Studies have shown that people are more likely to respect and trust what you have to say if you speak at a lower intonation and slower. Slowing down when speaking will help grounding yourself and staying in control. You don't have to be rapid fire- think about what you have to say and be confident of what you say- it is valid!
2. Your Boss is your Client:
This doesn't mean your training partner has the right to unlimited tea and biscuits on demand for the next 6 months so hear me out: If customer service is about trust and reliability, if you build a track record in providing this to your boss; you're more likely to be put through your paces, get in front of clients and create a profile of yourself as a valuable member of the team. Assert yourself with "service words"- how can I help you with this; be precise and professional with what you have to say; don't be too emotive and don't be too bothered by directness. If you don't get a "thank you" it's not because your boss is rude or dislikes what you have done- they are just focussed on the result. This is a big lesson for me and something I am still learning- not to take anything personal!
3. Ask:
Training Contracts are two-way streets. as well as providing a service, you are there to develop and challenge yourself and ultimately become an amazing lawyer and confident member of the profession. Be assertive in asking, don't just hang by the door- try low and long and go for it. Asking will make you feel more comfortable in your immediate environment and more confident in your abilities. Some seniors in law firms have been there for so long, they forget what it's like to be in your shoes- I figure that's why it can feel abrasive, but isn't it better to feel a bit silly for asking than looking really silly for not and making a mistake? Also, you get this amazingly smug feeling when you ask about something your senior overlooked!
This isn't meant to be a lecture, I don't know all the answers- I'm still learning to adopt some of the ideas I have suggested. I would love to know others' thoughts/experiences, but in the meantime, I'll keep trying to adjust my chair!
In honour of adjustment, after the third week of my training contract, I went to a forum aimed at trainees at the Law Society. I thought it would be a nice day out to a posh building and have a catch up with some old LPC friends, who are now training at other firms. I did get to go to a posh building and catch up with old friends, but I also got a surprising opportunity to re-evaluate how I'm doing working with others so far on the training contract. My re-evaluation came in the form of a talk on body language and making an impact by a guy called Steve Weiner. I identified straight away with the scared deer description of a trainee who has a question barked across at them: "Follow these complicated instructions- and I'll make you feel 1 inch tall if you ask a question or get any aspect of this wrong." Yeah I identify with the deer- that frozen scared expression.
 |
| http://tristin-stock.deviantart.com/art/Deer-Scared-93668906 |
I suddenly feel like all common sense, vocabulary, articulation, evidence of my 2:1 Law degree or even evidence of any intelligence has flown out the window and been replaced by this four legged mammal struggling under her own weight. As Steve Weiner described this situation, I was relieved to see a roomful of trainees nodding in agreement- they've had a deer moment with their training partners too...
On that then, I figured this was a regular feeling for a young trainee walking into the bear pit of the law firm, so I thought I'd share with you all my talk on how to be less like the deer and more like the bear. By this I don't mean squaring up to your boss- not a good tactic. These strategies are more about being more confident, self aware and comfortable in your environment. Your firm may not let you loose on clients straight away so your way of providing services to clients is to see your training partners as your client and help them out whilst challenging yourself and learning along the way. From my A'Level drama days, I learned that status is an important aspect of learning about characterisation. Behaving with higher status in a deer situation will always give you a confidence boost to take you back from that quivering 4-legged wreck to... Yourself.
1. Long and Low:
 |
| http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/voice-pitch-voting/- lower pitch voice indicate higher social status |
2. Your Boss is your Client:
 |
| http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordon2208/6237893181/ |
This doesn't mean your training partner has the right to unlimited tea and biscuits on demand for the next 6 months so hear me out: If customer service is about trust and reliability, if you build a track record in providing this to your boss; you're more likely to be put through your paces, get in front of clients and create a profile of yourself as a valuable member of the team. Assert yourself with "service words"- how can I help you with this; be precise and professional with what you have to say; don't be too emotive and don't be too bothered by directness. If you don't get a "thank you" it's not because your boss is rude or dislikes what you have done- they are just focussed on the result. This is a big lesson for me and something I am still learning- not to take anything personal!
3. Ask:
 |
| http://goodmanagementisnot.com/2012/10/04/whats-a-good-manager-worth-2/ |
Training Contracts are two-way streets. as well as providing a service, you are there to develop and challenge yourself and ultimately become an amazing lawyer and confident member of the profession. Be assertive in asking, don't just hang by the door- try low and long and go for it. Asking will make you feel more comfortable in your immediate environment and more confident in your abilities. Some seniors in law firms have been there for so long, they forget what it's like to be in your shoes- I figure that's why it can feel abrasive, but isn't it better to feel a bit silly for asking than looking really silly for not and making a mistake? Also, you get this amazingly smug feeling when you ask about something your senior overlooked!
This isn't meant to be a lecture, I don't know all the answers- I'm still learning to adopt some of the ideas I have suggested. I would love to know others' thoughts/experiences, but in the meantime, I'll keep trying to adjust my chair!
