Most lawyers are taught how to practice law, not how to lead people. Then one day, they are handed a team and expected to figure it out. In episode 633 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading people, the second cornerstone from their book, Be a Next Level Leader.
Debbie and Stephanie break people's leadership into four essential responsibilities: building trust, developing others, communicating clearly, and holding standards. They explain why trust grows through small, human interactions, why leaders often overload their most dependable employees, and how delegation can become a tool for development instead of a way to clear your own plate.
They also explore why teams cannot meet expectations that were never clearly communicated, how positive and constructive feedback help people grow, and why “no news is good news” is not a leadership strategy.
If you want to build a team that can take greater ownership, perform at a higher level, and succeed without relying on one overburdened A player, this episode offers a practical place to start.
Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Delegation, and Building Stronger Teams.
#632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN
#631: Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven Apple | Spotify | LTN
#616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN
#615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN
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Chapters / Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:21 – Track Your Firm’s Progress with the Small Firm Scorecard
03:17 – Leading People: The Second Leadership Cornerstone
04:25 – Trust, Development, Communication, and Standards
05:59 – Why Law Firms Do Not Teach People Management
07:42 – Building Trust Through Real Relationships
08:58 – Small Conversations That Strengthen Trust
10:54 – Delegating to Develop, Not Just to Offload Work
11:26 – The Overburdened A Player Problem
12:48 – Becoming a Multiplier for Your Team
13:31 – Match Delegation to Skill and Readiness
14:52 – Set Clear Expectations Before Asking for More
16:38 – Why Feedback Is a Leadership Skill
18:33 – “No News Is Good News” Does Not Work
19:08 – Learn How Your People Want to Be Recognized
19:53 – A Simple Framework for Better Feedback
21:14 – Holding Standards Without Being Harsh
22:15 – Closing Thoughts and What Comes Next
