No matter which group with whom I'm speaking--associates; senior associates; partners--women lawyers often share the same fear: that if you pursue new business, you will be seen as aggressive by others. To this I say, if you are NOT assertive and aggressive, you will get nowhere fast. Think of substituting the word CONFIDENT for the word AGGRESSIVE. Demonstrating confidence is critical to not only getting hired but also to providing the best service to your clients. Building confidence comes from practicing and succeeding. I'd welcome a dialogue about what specifically is causing you to shy away from being a strong, confident business developer (since I know you are a strong, confident practitioner for your clients)! Try not to speculate and then react to your speculation about how others may perceive you. Go for it and start following up on new and former relationships. Start by calling your inactive clients today. No one is going to think you are too confident!
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Being aggressive is not the key, being confident is. Hold your head up high whether you are in the courtroom or with a client. Remember you are a professional first and a woman second.
Posted by: Lawyer Chicago Magazine | October 11, 2011 at 05:18 AM