Q3 2024 Q&A
Have you found that most of your engagement has been internal or external to the firm?
It’s a mix, depending on what I post about, and that makes it interesting. When I talk about our award wins, or diversity initiatives like our new parent policy and what we are doing about social mobility, there is a lot of LS employee engagement - I can see my role as a Chief Cheerleader at times. When I post about issues affecting leaders, like me talking about leaders needing a holiday and my resilience, there is much more external engagement.
What do you think it is that is different or special about LinkedIn?
It gives you the ability to talk much more authentically in your own voice about issues you care about.
Does it help that the firm has some definite areas of expertise that people might seek outside counsel for?
100% In a sea of corporate blandness, knowing what you are good at (in our case, “Ideas and People”-based issues) and zeroing in on that is essential to cut through.
What advice would you give to a younger lawyer at your firm who wants to get going on LinkedIn?
- Work out what you are genuinely interested in - think broadly about things adjacent to your core specialisations.
- Engage with and follow people whom you admire and who talk about things you are interested in.
- Don’t be scared to talk about some things unrelated to your job, but don’t make stuff up - authenticity can’t be faked.
And your advice to a Managing Partner of another law firm about ROI for time on the platform?
It’s really difficult to measure, to be honest. I am pretty clear that it helps your talent see that you are human. And I do get a handful of people emailing me out of the blue with new instructions who start with “loved seeing your LinkedIn post the other day - now here’s a new instruction“. Who knows?
What has been the most surprising thing that has come out of your use of the platform?
The amount of support law firm leaders offer one another - it’s not the cut-throat competitive industry many think it is.
How long do you spend on LinkedIn each week?
Two to three posts a week, and I do a couple of five minute sessions a day - normally on trains.
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