Editor's Letter: Innovating change

When people hear the term ‘change management’, they immediately think about salary cuts, redundancies and departmental restructuring. Perhaps that’s part of the problem for those trying to institute strategic change at a firm-wide level: the perception that it is something to be feared, because that’s all it’s ever been to them. So how can managing partners change attitudes and ensure people have a positive association with it?

Developing an environment in which teams and individuals are encouraged to innovate is, of course, the first step. While some might argue that lawyers are very innovative – at least in terms of their legal work – they do have the reputation of being extremely conservative. This is clearly a trait which is appropriate for matter management, but getting partners to think as entrepreneurial business managers is a lot harder than it seems.

There are some who say that the principles of dog training can be used to encourage acceptable behaviour in spouses, so why not in lawyers? I’m not talking about ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ – although those are good skills which are neglected by countless managers – but more about positive reinforcement.

So, for example, ask people to come up with a simple and cheap way to improve the firm within 24 hours. After the deadline has passed, give them a ‘treat’ – not just the ones with the best ideas, but everyone who participated. And, of course, remember to keep them informed about how their ideas are used. Then repeat the process, varying the details as needed, since you can usually teach people of all ages new tricks, unlike ‘old’ dogs.

Before long (assuming the theory holds true), lawyers will be spontaneously banging on your door with ideas to improve the firm’s competitiveness, without expecting a reward – at least in the short term. Just don’t beat them off with the metaphorical stick, as negative reinforcement is even more powerful than its counterpart.

This approach may of course be too simplistic, but all it costs is a box of chocolates or a packet of biscuits for each person. At the very least, it will provide a welcome boost to morale.

Until next month,

Manju Manglani, Editor

– mmanglani@wilmington.co.uk