Today, we’ll be tackling 12 misconceptions about consultancy and how, with a growth mindset, they can be overcome.
Now, many of you will already know about fixed and growth mindsets.
Fixed mindsets
You can read all about the differences between the two in this Forbes article. Fixed mindset people believe character and intelligence are static. And as they believe that those traits are as hardwired as your DNA, they have to keep proving themselves right because, well, who wants to be wrong all the time?
Growth mindsets
The same article tells us that people with a growth mindset believe you can change if you put the effort in. These people still fail. But they see failure as a springboard to success. Failing is just a form of learning.
Stanford University psychologist Carol S Dweck is seen as the grandmother of the power of the mindset. One of her studies offered four-year-olds a choice between redoing an easy jigsaw puzzle or trying a harder one. The fixed mindset kids redid the easy one to affirm their ability. The growth mindsetters stretched themselves with the harder puzzle because their definition of success was about becoming smarter (not about being smarter).
But what does all of this have to do with consultant lawyers? Well, at Setfords, we like to think that we’ve always had a growth mindset. We’re constantly looking at ways of evolving and making out offering even better for those lawyers who want something more than traditional law firms can offer.
Today we’re looking at 12 of the most common misconceptions about consultancy, using real comments that we’ve received during the last year. We want to show how the people who held those views may be able to progress their careers – or win more business for themselves or their firms – if they could appreciate a new perspective.
Here’s the list:
1:“Lawyers should aspire to work in a traditional firm.”
Really? Unfortunately, there are reports of stress, burnout and impossibly high targets and a toxic culture at many traditional firms. Of course, many lawyers can be happy and successful with a traditional career, but that mix doesn’t strike us as an aspirational cocktail to enjoy this Christmas.
2: “Isn’t legal consultancy for women who want to fit work around their kids?”
Excuse me, are you from the past? Consultancy works for everyone who looking for flexibility and freedom in their careers. Gender is irrelevant: we have men who became consultants so they could fit around their kids, women who don’t have children but still enjoy the benefits of consultancy’s freedom, and everything in between.
3: “Men are the ones with ambition.”
Setfords’ men want flexibility and freedom. Some want the freedom to work on other things, enjoy personal projects or to spent time with (wait for it) their families. Plus, just because our lawyers (regardless of their gender) want to enjoy what consultancy has to offer, this certainly doesn’t mean that they lack ambition!
4: “Consultants just want to earn less and be part-time.”
Many of our consultants are top billers who work full-time and grow their own teams, while others choose to work part-time to better fit around the rest of their lives such as family, hobbies or travel. The great thing about consultancy is that every lawyer gets to choose exactly what works for them
5: “It’s unstable being a consultant solicitor, especially in a recession.”
Setfords is a UK Top 100 Law Firm, and recognised as the only law firm in the Financial Times: Europe’s Long-Term Growth Champions. We’re not planning on going anywhere, and our industry-leading support makes it easier than ever to build a stable business as a consultant.
6: “It’s difficult to generate work as a consultant.”
The fact that we’ve grown in terms of lawyer numbers and revenue year-on-year belies this fake news. At Setfords, we also help our consultants find work. For example, our in-house business development team generates approximately £18 million of work a year, equating to around 25% of the firm’s total business.
7: “Traditional firms have bigger support departments.”
We have over 180 support staff, plus a dedicated wellbeing team. We invest millions in tech each year, allowing our lawyers to work more efficiently and effectively, from anywhere in the world. While some traditional firms may well have bigger support departments, we think that ours is the best in the business in terms of efficiency and getting things done.
8: “Traditional law firms are better for clients.”
We think this is an outdated view. Gone are the days when clients would work with the same firm for generations. And, traditional firms’ targets compel their lawyers to take on as many clients as possible. This may be great for the firm, but it doesn’t suit the clients whose cases slip down the priority list.
9: “The peak of your legal career is becoming a partner.”
Maybe in the past, but now we believe that consultancy offers another option. Politics, bureaucracy and management tasks deter many lawyers from chasing a partnership. Often, they come to Setfords to focus on their work, earn more than ever, and still progress in their careers.
10: “Being in a consultancy firm means working on your own.”
Not if you don’t want it to. All of our 600+ consultants are encouraged to communicate, collaborate and refer work to each other. Our wellbeing team also checks in with them regularly.
11: “You have to work harder as a consultant.”
At Setfords, you work as many hours as you like, when you like, from wherever you like.
12: “You only become a consultant when your career is coming to an end.”
Tell that to some of our consultants, who are more successful and busier than they have ever been! Free from the constraints of traditional law, consultants choose how they work and what they work on. Plus, we take on consultants from five years PQE, so many of those who join us are still at the start of their careers, with long and successful paths ahead of them as consultants.
Open your mind to success
So, there you have it. Open your mind to consultancy and enjoy freedom, higher earnings and less stress.
Want to find out more? We’re looking for England and Wales qualified lawyers with 5+ years’ PQE. Click here to get in touch for a confidential conversation.
