As a law office manager, your words—both written and spoken—carry weight. They reflect your authority, set the tone for your team, and influence how others perceive you. Communicating power isn’t about being aggressive or domineering; it’s about exuding confidence, clarity, and competence. Here are seven strategies to help you convey power effectively when you write and … [Read more...] about 7 ways to communicate power when you write and speak
Your career
When staffers bully their supervisor
By Lynne Curry She came to work early, rarely took a full lunch break, and almost always worked past five p.m. Six of her nine staffers considered her an effective leader. She ran a successful department until her other three direct reports drove her out. Empowered by their victory, this “gang of three” ran off two successive managers before the company’s senior … [Read more...] about When staffers bully their supervisor
Grow your network and grow your career
Networking is a valuable activity for law office managers to build connections, stay informed about industry trends, and create opportunities for growth. Here is some advice on how to make the most of networking opportunities: Attend Legal Conferences and Seminars: Legal conferences and seminars offer an excellent platform to network with peers, legal professionals, … [Read more...] about Grow your network and grow your career
You should learn your way around office politics
By Lynne Curry Question: I like my new job, my supervisor, and my coworkers, except for a woman I’ve nicknamed “the queen.” The problem began as soon as my first all-hands meeting ended. Several of my coworkers invited me to have drinks with them after work. The queen overhead because she and I were heading into a pre-planned meeting that lasted until the end of the … [Read more...] about You should learn your way around office politics
Getting ahead: Tasks to tackle in the last two weeks of August
As a law office manager, you know that September often brings a surge of activity. Whether it’s new cases, court dates, or the ramping up of ongoing projects, the post-summer period can be intense. That’s why the last two weeks of August are the perfect time to focus on tasks that will set your office up for success in the months ahead. Here are some key jobs to consider … [Read more...] about Getting ahead: Tasks to tackle in the last two weeks of August
How to prioritize law firm management tasks
By Elizabeth M. Miller bio What's the most important task you have to tackle today? Do you have so many you can't decide which to address first? In law firms, priorities change from day to day and even moment to moment. The truth of the matter is that there are often competing priorities. And unless there is an obvious crisis, it's sometimes not that easy to decide which … [Read more...] about How to prioritize law firm management tasks
Tick those unpleasant tasks off your to-do list
Avoiding something unpleasant is the main reason people procrastinate. Try one of these four approaches when you face an unpleasant task: Do it. There’s an adrenaline rush from knowing you’ve completed an unpleasant task. Finishing something you’ve been putting off will energize you for the rest of the day. Don’t do it yet. If you’re not sure what to do, putting off … [Read more...] about Tick those unpleasant tasks off your to-do list
Working on everything everywhere all at once? Try monotasking
In today’s fast-paced business environment, office administrators are often faced with a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. As the demands of the job continue to grow, it becomes increasingly tempting to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, commonly known as multitasking. However, there is an emerging school of thought that promotes the merits of monotasking—focusing on … [Read more...] about Working on everything everywhere all at once? Try monotasking
To make a point, use the body language that supports your words
Few managers realize that successful communication depends heavily on body language. When people don't get the response they expect, they need to understand that their bodies aren't sending the messages they think they're conveying. Much of the message that gets picked up in a conversation comes from motions and gestures. And it works both ways. A manager has to know body … [Read more...] about To make a point, use the body language that supports your words
Empathy an important workplace leadership quality
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and perspectives of others. It involves not only recognizing and acknowledging the emotions of others but also demonstrating care and concern for their well-being. In the context of a workplace leader, empathy is essential for several reasons: Building Trust: Empathetic leaders are … [Read more...] about Empathy an important workplace leadership quality