John R. Kormanik
MISSION: RECLAIM THE LAW AS A NOBLE PROFESSION
MISSION: RECLAIM THE LAW AS A NOBLE PROFESSION

Leadership

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From Solo to CEO: 4 Things This Law Firm Owner Did To Scale His Firm

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From Solo to CEO: 4 Things This Law Firm Owner Did To Scale His Firm

When “Bob” and I first teamed up, he was stuck in a cycle so many law former solos find themselves in—buried in casework, making all the key decisions, and unable to step back without things grinding to a halt. He knew he needed a stronger team, but hiring felt risky. What if he picked the wrong person? What if delegation led to mistakes? As a law firm owner, Bob understood reputation is everything.

Here are the steps “Bob” took to get out of the solo-practitioner bottleneck to setting the vision, creating the right culture, and building a team that could operate at a high level…

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Leading with Energy, Empathy, and Authority: How to Balance Connection and Command in Leadership

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Leading with Energy, Empathy, and Authority: How to Balance Connection and Command in Leadership

Effective leadership requires a delicate balance between empathy and authority. Many believe these qualities are polar opposites, but in reality, they are complementary forces that can transform your leadership style. The ability to connect with your team while maintaining strong decision-making skills is what separates good leaders from great ones.

In this blog post, you’ll explore the dynamics of energy leadership, how to find the right balance between empathy and authority, and practical strategies to implement this approach in your leadership style. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework to create a high-performing, engaged team that thrives under your leadership.

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Beyond Goal Setting: Why Vision is the Missing Piece in Achieving Your Goals

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Beyond Goal Setting: Why Vision is the Missing Piece in Achieving Your Goals

The problem isn’t in the goals themselves—it’s what comes before them. Without a clear, compelling vision to guide us, goal setting becomes nothing more than an exercise in chasing numbers. So, let’s shake things up. Let’s talk about why vision, not goals, is the key to success and how you can cast a vision that guarantees your goals are both achievable and aligned with the life you truly want.

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Master Your Energy: Pave the Way to Success

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Master Your Energy: Pave the Way to Success

Every client I work with undergoes an Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment at the beginning and end of our coaching relationship. The ELI not only evaluates the current state of a client’s energy but also establishes a shared language for discussing mindset under various stressors, such as leadership challenges, performance pressure, and workload management. 

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Harness Energy Leadership and Transform Your Law Firm’s Management

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Leadership isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor. It is no different for your law firm. As a managing partner or firm owner, you're navigating through different challenges every day, and your leadership style needs to adapt. This is where the Energy Leadership framework comes in—helping you become a more effective, dynamic leader by aligning your leadership styles with different energy levels.

What is Energy Leadership?

Why Your Associate Attorneys Leave (and what to do about it).

In today's hyper-competitive legal industry, associate attorneys are the backbone of any law firm, driving much of the day-to-day legal work and perhaps, client interaction. However, many firms face significant challenges in retaining their associates, leading to high turnover rates that can impact firm culture, client satisfaction, and ultimately, the bottom line. Understanding why associate attorneys leave is crucial for law firm leaders aiming to not only attract but also retain top talent. Let’s explore the multifaceted impact that turnover has on your firm, delve into the three primary reasons associates decide to move on, and provide four actionable strategies to foster a more robust retention plan. By addressing these issues head-on, your firm can improve its workplace environment and reduce the costly cycle of recruiting and training new associates.

Case Study: From the Hamster Wheel to CEO

You’ve heard the expression “wearing multiple hats”? It means, as an individual, we’re operating in two (or more) distinct, and often disparate, areas or functions. Attorneys do this on the daily. Because every attorney is also the CEO of their law practice, it’s a feature, not a bug, of the practice of law. Simply “switching hats” sounds simple, but it is, in fact, far from easy. A client story provides an example and roadmap.

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Mastering the Art of Delegation with a Lawyer's Brain: From Pitfalls to Potential

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Delegation is more than just offloading tasks—it's a strategic art, especially in the realm of legal practice. Dive into the nuanced layers of delegation, from the common pitfalls faced by lawyers to the transformative strategies unlocked through leadership coaching. Whether you're a solo lawyer or managing partner, discover the path to harnessing the full potential of effective delegation in my latest blog post.

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Transforming Stress Into Success: Why Embracing 'Yester-Me' is the Ultimate Productivity Tool

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Transforming Stress Into Success: Why Embracing 'Yester-Me' is the Ultimate Productivity Tool

In a world that demands us to be perpetual planners, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by our own ambitious agendas. But what if the key to mastering productivity and reducing stress lies in changing how we view our past selves? In this blog post, I delve into my personal journey of grappling with 'yester-me,' the version of myself who plans for today. Spoiler: your past self isn't your enemy; it's your most underutilized ally in personal and professional growth. Read on to discover how this mindset shift can make you more effective, less stressed, and bring you one step closer to your goals.

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Want to Lead More Effectively? Master 9 Essential Competencies to Transform from a Good Leader into an Elite Leader.

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Want to Lead More Effectively? Master 9 Essential Competencies to Transform from a Good Leader into an Elite Leader.

Unlock the keys to effective leadership with these 9 essential competencies. From emotional intelligence and clear communication to time mastery and productivity, discover how mastering these skills can transform you into a more effective leader and empower your team to excel in today's complex work environment.