Canadian Lawyer

Editor's desk by gail j. cohen Don't be a speed bump A t last month's Canadian Corporate Counbook or professional diary in which she jots sel Association spring meeting, I sat in down all manner of notes such as interesting on a few sessions and panels that focused news stories, conferences she wants to attend, on various aspects of one's legal career. One was a people she meets who she'd like to have lunch lunch panel with a group of high-powered women with, etc. It helps keep track of a lot of the small general counsel discussing their careers and how things that can help build professional relationships and will lead to individual growth and sucthey broke through into the upper echelons in their cess. "It allows me to connect the dots," she said. companies. While they were all women (who will Another session looked at advocating for be featured in a book coming out in the fall called yourself, not just personally but in terms of Breaking Through), their tips for success are universal. getting things done and having decisions go I would say Norie Campbell, executive vice president Norie Campbell your way: as the session leaders pointed out "advocating" and and general counsel of TD Bank Group, has had some professional success so I wasn't surprised her thoughts on feedback hit home. not "bragging." So once you've got that good feedback, put it into They apply not only for in-house lawyers but for all lawyers and just action for those conversations that will impact you and your staff. about anyone else who, well, works and is looking to move up. She Great pointers from that session: 1. Plan a good time for the conversation; made two key points about feedback that I'd not considered before: 2. Know your audience and tailor your message. If your boss 1. Demonstrate that you're receptive to feedback; and needs data, charts, numbers, etc. to make decisions then 2. Ask for feedback about the people who are in the make sure that's what you bring. Giving them what makes roles you want. them comfortable will make them more likely to be on Campbell noted that if you're only getting good feedback, your side; you're never going to improve. And there are often reasons why 3. Do your research and be prepared. It will make you you don't get constructive feedback and it's not usually because more confident; you're perfect. "Be suspicious" of constant rah-rah feedback. In 4. Deliver what you promise. A good track record makes you terms of the first point, she said you have to want feedback, be a better bet; and open to it, and "treat it as a gift." People will give you feedback, she 5. Be authentic. pointed out, if they also feel it's worthwhile for them; so create an What I got from all the input I heard that day is flexibility and environment where it's comfortable for the giver to give. knowing yourself and your audience, no matter what the ask is, On the second point, Campbell said you should find out what skills those people in the jobs you want have. If that person will likely lead to success. The best quote of the day about getting things done — espeis respected, those who work with them can give you valuable cially if you're a lawyer who may be eyed suspiciously by other insight into what skills you might need to work on to get that job. That led to the idea of self-feedback. Brigitte Catellier, VP of legal parts of the business — came from an in-house counsel for a police affairs and secretary of Astral Media Inc., says she keeps a black department: "Don't be a speed bump, find a new route." Canadian Lawyer disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. Director/Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editor in Chief: Gail J. Cohen gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com Staff Writer: Charlotte Santry charlotte.santry@thomsonreuters.com Copy Editor: Mallory Hendry Art Director: Bill Hunter Production Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles catherine.giles@thomsonreuters.com Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Kathryn Leger, Geoff Ellwand, Jennifer Brown, Marg. Bruineman, Ava Chisling, Shannon Kari Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Rd., Toronto ON. M1T 3V4 (416) 298-5141 Fax : (416) 649-7870 All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. 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