Robot-proofing for lawyers

In this episode Julia Robinson, Senior Manager of Professional Development at global law firm Ropes and Gray, discusses the importance of developing one’s ‘human skills’ in order to develop a career in the legal sector of the 21stcentury. We explore on the episode how the ability to adapt, to relate to others, to empathise, and to show deep levels of emotional intelligence have all been highlighted by the pandemic – and why these skills are all relevant to “robot-proofing” your career.  Also, we discuss why these skills are important to the clients of legal practitioners and how leaders of law firms are focusing increasingly on maintaining the human connection and “glue” across their organisation, especially as we look ahead to increasingly hybrid work patterns, with some team members in the office and some choosing to work flexibly. Questions to consider:·       Being adaptable is helped by having a mind-set of ‘lifelong learning’.  Could you volunteer to be involved in a new project or different type of work, where you will learn a lot on the job?·       When in meetings or in conversations, how often do you focus on the other person’s needs and ‘check-in’ what is going on for them?  Being curious and interested in others is a great way to learn how to relate well and build emotional intelligence. Resources:·       Training in a pandemic: the last 12 months·       Robot proofing for lawyers