This post was written by Jim Hassett: "In the business bestseller The Checklist Manifesto, Atul Gawande makes a powerful case for the value of this simple project management tool. 

As the book jacket notes, "The volume and complexity of knowledge today has exceeded our ability as individuals to properly deliver it to people - consistently, correctly, and safely."  Checklists can solve this problem by addressing two problems that every busy expert faces: "The first is the fallibility of human memory and attention, especially when it comes to mundane routine matters that are easily overlooked under the strain of more pressing events....[The second] is that people can lull themselves into skipping steps, even when they remember them" (p. 36).

The book gives examples of the power of checklists ranging from flying the B-17 bomber (p. 34) to building skyscrapers (p. 54).  Since Gawande is an endocrine surgeon at the Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston and an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, many of his examples relate to hospitals.  The most compelling story in the book describes a medical procedure commonly performed in intensive care units..."

Continue reading this interesting post and reach the active links by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Legal Business Development, 1 September 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Penelope Trunk: "It is harder to know who you are than it is to be who you are. Everyone says, "The important thing is to be yourself!"  I say that when I give them career advice. People like you better when you are being authentic. Gay people do better in their careers when they are out of the closet. Women do better at work if they are feminine at work instead of trying to be like the guys.

But there is very little advice on HOW to be yourself.

1. Don't be boring...

2. Try a range of tools to express who you are...

3. Understand how people perceive what you put out there..."

Full text and active links are available by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Brazen Careerist, 30 August 2010. © 2009 Penelope Trunk, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Allison Shields: "In case you're wondering where I've been for the past several weeks, the answer is simple: I moved this month, and it has been a gargantuan task which has consumed almost all of my time over the past six weeks. There are still many boxes yet to be unpacked, but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Needless to say, blogging, social media and pretty much all other "non-essential" tasks fell by the wayside during that time.

Whether you move your home or office (and I moved both), you are bound to encounter some challenges. There are always headaches associated with the coordination and planning of such an undertaking - particularly where there are other people involved. But this post isn't about moving itself. Instead, it's about some other lessons that I learned as a result of the move that I think can apply to your practice as well...

Continue reading this interesting post by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Legal Ease Blog, 30 August 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "I am able to look back now and see how a few things I figured out when I was a young lawyer contributed to my career success and life fulfillment. Let me share those with you in the hope it will enable you to figure out some important things on your own. Here is what I figured out:

1. What I wanted in my career and life. I really gave a lot of thought to what was important to me.
2. What would motivate me and help me stay on track. I found motivation very necessary to get through difficult times.
3. That I had to have a plan to achieve it and stay focused on what was important to me. I discovered I can easily get distracted by unimportant things..."

Continue reading this interesting post by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Law Consulting Blog, 30 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Stephanie WestAllen: "You may get a free taste of metaphor guru Anne Miller's new book by downloading two chapters. Unfortunately Make What You Say Pay! is not available on Amazon, but her earlier book Metaphorically Selling can be purchased there.

Important note added later: The new book is available on Amazon by clicking here.

Here's a post I wrote a while back about Miller's work, and about metaphors and the brain. I have long been convinced of the persuasiveness of the metaphor. Metaphors grease communication. They  are words' ball bearings. Okay, maybe I need to read the new book . . ."

Continue reading this interesting post and reach the active links by clicking on the author's name.

Source: idealawg, 26 August 2010, reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "Over time your first year lawyers will either become artisans or virtuosos. I thought of this idea because several young partners I coach have complained about the way the young associates who work for them analyze a problem. These very bright associates seem to only do what they are tasked to do rather than digging deeper when confronted with an issue and trying to figure out an appropriate answer.

A year ago I came across an interesting two part blog titled: Artisans and Virtuosos: Cultivating Adaptive Expertise in our Children--and In Ourselves. The blogger discussed ideas shared by John Bransford in his chapter "How Experts Differ from Novices."  In that chapter, Bransford outlines six principles of "expert's knowledge" and then examines their "potential for learning and instruction." The very first principle is..."

Continue reading this interesting post and reach the active link by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Law Consulting Blog, 26 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Susan Gainen: "While it is entirely possible that a Millennial law clerk has never worked in an office, it is absolutely certain that he has never worked for you. You have rules, standards, and expectations. The clerk's first day is the best day to introduce those rules which will set the stage for a good working relationship. Review these Questions for the Boss:..."

Continue reading this interesting post by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Lawyerist.com, 25 August 2010. © 2007-2010 Lawyerist Media, LLC. Reproduced with permission of the site editor, Sam Glover.

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "As you know, in the next few weeks I will be speaking to first year lawyers during their orientation. One thing I will cover is what the law firm expects of them. Here is a list:

1. Ethics and integrity
2. Intelligence and critical analysis
3. Hard working 
4. Professional 
5. Desire to learn..."

Continue reading this interesting post by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Law Consulting Blog, 25 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author. 

This post was written by Cordell Parvin: "This week I am focusing on lawyers who will be starting their law practice soon and sharing thoughts for more senior lawyers and law firm professional development directors to consider.

A couple of years ago I spoke to the Texas State Bar Leaders. In that presentation I mentioned things law school doesn't teach and suggested that the State Bar as well as City and County Bar Associations should help young lawyers learn those things. In law school, students are taught to "think like a lawyer." They are not taught:..."

Continue reading this interesting post by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Law Consulting Blog, 24 August 2010. © 2010, Cordell Parvin LLC. Reproduced with permission of the author.

This post was written by Susan Cartier Liebel: "An old post/column I wrote -  e-mail etiquette (or lack thereof) and the impact on clients - led me to check out other technologies which, without policies regarding their use, offend clients and people in general.  There was a great archived article in Missed Manners which discusses the impact of poor etiquette when using Blackberries, PDAs and Smartphones as well as e-mail.

It's worth a read because most people don't realize they are behaving rudely.  As business people we have to be extra-aware or risk our professional and personal reputations and relationships.

Technological advances give us new freedoms.  But they also come with a whole new set of rules regarding their use. If inappropriately used, those very freedoms can impact our behaviors and destroy our professional and personal relationships.

Continue reading this interesting post and reach the active links by clicking on the author's name.

Source: Build a Solo Practice, 16 August 2010. © SPU 2010 Susan Cartier Liebel, reproduced with permission.