Ever walk into your law firm and notice a lull has overtaken the room?  Your employees seem almost lackadaisical and uninterested, their motivation at an all-time low?

Employee motivation can be a difficult hurdle to overcome.  Making someone interested in their job is not something you should have to do, but it is something you should try to cultivate.  It’s like caring for a garden.  While you might not be in charge of how your plants will grow or when, you can motivate growth through watering, fertilizing, pruning, and aerating their soil.

Apply the same metaphor to how you manage your legal staff:

• Work closely with them every day—learn to understand how they operate and how it can be utilized to promote change for the better;

• Encourage them—let them know that you are always available if they should have questions or if they need assistance with a particular duty. Also, keep them apprised of their abilities to bolster their growth;

• Help them find ways to improve their job performance—by being honest with your employees and pointing out areas where they could improve in a constructive way, you can help them work through areas of difficulty and better themselves as an employee and a person;

• Praise them for their good work! Anytime an employee or staff member receives praise, it boosts their confidence and helps establish a strong and steady sense of self.  You want poised and self-assured employees who can perform their duties well.  Praise is a great way to continually reinforce their abilities and talents!

This process will not only promote motivation and productivity, it will also help you become a more understanding and empathetic attorney, a talent that will improve how you work with clients and how you manage yourself in the courtroom.

Bottom line, showing an interest in your firm and its operation is the first step towards motivating your staff.  It is also a wonderful way to inspire unity, a key ingredient to a successful law firm.  When everyone is on the same page, they all know what their duties are and work together to get them done!

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