General counsel need to become accustomed to repeating key messages when they speak with members of their department. The repetition of fundamental points, such as the value of teamwork, partnership with internal clients, respect for each other, and communication – may sometimes grow wearying. They may assume there’s nothing more to say and the message had better resonate. But they would be wrong.

All leaders need to lay out clearly and pound home fundamental messages. Ad nauseum, perhaps. Ears open and close at different times, so the words have to be out there all the time. Ideally, of course, the legal leader should believe in and model actions they extol (See my post of March 21, 2006: Mike Dillon without an office as a role model; April 30, 2006: mentor is more than role model; May 2, 2007: listen more, as role model; June 10, 2007: a solid leadership practice under Human Capital Management; Sept. 7, 2008: general counsel as role models; Oct. 8, 2007: 180 degree assessments; and May 4, 2009: walk the talk.).

General counsel need to become accustomed to repeating key messages when they speak with members of their department. The repetition of fundamental points, such as the value of teamwork, partnership with internal clients, respect for each other, and communication – may sometimes grow wearying. They may assume there’s nothing more to say and the message had better resonate. But they would be wrong.

All leaders need to lay out clearly and pound home fundamental messages. Ad nauseum, perhaps. Ears open and close at different times, so the words have to be out there all the time. Ideally, of course, the legal leader should believe in and model actions they extol (See my post of March 21, 2006: Mike Dillon without an office as a role model; April 30, 2006: mentor is more than role model; May 2, 2007: listen more, as role model; June 10, 2007: a solid leadership practice under Human Capital Management; Sept. 7, 2008: general counsel as role models; Oct. 8, 2007: 180 degree assessments; and May 4, 2009: walk the talk.).