Legal Imposters
by Caroline Flanagan
Welcome to Legal Imposters - the podcast for lawyers who are making Imposter Syndrome their strength and using it to their advantage in their career. If you've ever felt like a fraud or that your success is down to luck; if you ever have that fear that you're going to be found out - you're in the right place. I'm Caroline Flanagan, ex-lawyer and proud Imposter, and I'm here to show you that Imposter Syndrome isn't here to hold us back. It's here to distinguish us. To elevate us. We were never meant to blend in with those who feel entitled to be here We are not interested in being excluded. We don't need permission to succeed. We are Legal Imposters.We are meant to stand out.Our value lies in who we are and what makes us unique.We're changing what it means to succeed in this industry. We don't succeed in spite of our Imposter Syndrome. We succeed because of it. Welcome to the club. Are you ready?
Episodes
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Episode #145 When there are no role models who look like you
I can't be who I can't see. I hear this from Black lawyers all the time, and it makes complete sense. When you look up the ladder and there's no one who looks like you, no one you can relate to, it's hard to picture yourself there. But the belief that you need someone like you to go ahead of you…
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Episode #143 When your best isn't good enough
You're working twice as hard. So why does someone else get the invitation to the client event? You prepare more thoroughly than anyone on the team. You stay later, check the draft one more time, and deliver work you're proud of. And still, the invitation goes to someone else. The high-profile...
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Episode #142 The Power of Awareness
You don't need anything groundbreaking to get unstuck. What you need is Awareness. Most people underestimate it. Writing it off as too simple and too obvious. But awareness is one of the most powerful tools you'll ever use — because it's the only thing that turns a problem you can't see into a...
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Episode #140 The 3 Beliefs Stopping You Getting a Sponsor
You did everything right. You identified the sponsor. You built the relationship. You made the ask. And the answer was still no. That stings. It's normal to replay it — to wonder what you missed, to assume it was the strategy. But sponsorship isn't only won with strategy. It's won with belief. A...
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Episode #139 The Right Time for Business Development
You've been telling yourself it's too soon. Or too late. Junior enough that BD can wait. Senior enough that you've already missed the boat. Neither is true. Ask most lawyers when the right time to start BD is, and you'll get one of three answers. Not yet — I'm too junior, nobody wants to hear…
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Episode #138 Know your numbers
There's the work you do. Then there's the number attached to it. Alot of senior Black lawyers can tell you, in detail, how good their work is. Ask them their utilisation rate, their WIP, their BD conversion rate — and the fluency disappears. It shows up in small ways first. You're behind on your...
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Episode #137 Activity Isn't Revenue
You've done the panels. The podcast guest spots. The thought leadership posts that get hundreds of likes. The coffee catch-ups with every contact who'll give you fifteen minutes. By every measure that matters in a networking sense, you are doing it right. So why hasn't a single one of those...
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Episode #136 Setting boundaries
There is a word that high-performing Black lawyers consistently struggle to say. A word that, when they learn to use it, transforms their careers, their health, and the way people treat them at work. That word is no. I know. You already know this. You've heard it before. So here's the real...
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Episode #135 Assuming Failure
When you've been trying to build your book of business, or get better work allocation, or achieve any other result in your career and there's no proof it's working, what do you do? Do you persevere? Do you invest more time and effort? Or do you assume failure, give up or change tack? This week on...
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Episode #134 Stop Procrastinating
Everyone procrastinates a little. But when it's a common feature of how you work, it's time to do something about it. Tasks on your to do list growing mouldy and old. Missed deadlines. Being repeatedly chased for tasks you said you would do. Neglected to-dos preying on your mind in the early…
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Episode #133 How to prepare for interview
If you're applying for a role or preparing for an upcoming interview you're going to want to listen to this episode. if you're not, save this episode so you can find it when the time comes, because this one is a game changer Today we're talking about how to prepare for interviews. Not what to say...
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Episode #132 Mum & Son Live interview! Be The First MEMBERSHIP - What it's about
What is Be The First Membership? Who's it for? How do you join? What do you get? How is it different? These are all the questions you're asking about Be The First and I'll be answering all of them, in a live interview conducted by my magnificent eldest son Dylan! When you agree to be interviewed…
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Episode #57 "Not like normal black people"
When someone tells you you're "not like normal black people"; when they note with surprise "you're very articulate" or comment on how well spoken you are or well put together you are - it's a micro-aggression rooted in negative racial stereotypes that is hurtful and offensive. But don't let...
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Episode #56 Transcending your goal
You know the one thing that's better than achieving your goal? Transcending it! 🤯 🏁When you join Be The First the promise is you either achieve your goal or you transcend it 🧐 How do I make such a promise? And what does transcending your goal mean? One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to...
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Episode #55 Vulnerability in Group Coaching
It's the vulnerability piece you are struggling with. You're a mid to senior level black lawyer and you want to join Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers - but you're holding back. It's a group coaching programme and you're afraid of being vulnerable in front of others. If this is you, this...
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Episode #54 Back On Track
You've had a fabulous holiday, a much needed break from it all, but now it's time to get back on track! Back to your deals, back to your clients, back to the projects, back to your exercise routine and all the other structures you have in place to support you in your life and work which you've...
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Episode #53 Inside Be The First
You walk into a networking event, survey the sea of white faces and not for the first time you ask yourself, "Why am I always the only one?" You're tired of feeling frustrated. Tired of feeling isolated. Tired of how hard it is to progress in a white world. All of this is about to change. ✨…
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Episode #52 What is Coaching
You've heard about my Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers. You've learned how this coaching program will get you to your progression goal, supporting you all the way to the top. You envision how my distinctive coaching skills and the unique tools that I teach can help you climb the...
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Episode #51 15 Reasons to Book A Consult
Thinking about working with me but still haven't taken the plunge? 🤔 I have just the thing you need. You don't have to jump straight into the deep end of joining Be The First Progression for Black Lawyers. You can dip your toe in and test the waters by booking a free consultation first. There…
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Episode #50 Follow the Progression Pathway
You know what you need to do to progress, so why are you still getting stuck? You have a progression goal, so why aren't you advancing as quickly as you'd like or thought you would. You have put yourself out there and attended training programs and conferences, only to return to your desks and...
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Episode #49 Always have a progression goal
Are you feeling directionless in your legal career? Do you feel like you're just going through the motions day after day? Bored. Unchallenged. Stuck. Without a clear progression goal, your career can feel like it's happening to you rather than being something you actively build. 🚧 In this…
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Episode #48 Is BE THE FIRST for you
You're tired of waiting for your firm or organization to change—to become more diverse, inclusive, and understanding. You want to stop waiting and start leading your career towards the success you deserve. That's why you find value in my posts. That's why you keep reading my emails. And now…
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Episode #47 How to progress when you're the Only One
In this Masterclass I give you practical advice for progressing your career that you can implement immediately. I cover everything you need to navigate the challenges of being the only one so you progress your career in 6 months. Discover everything you need to progress: The 3 progression goals…
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Episode #46 Stop procrastinating your goal
Are you letting your career dreams gather dust on the shelf of "someday"? Do you feel a nagging sense of dissatisfaction with where you are professionally, but find yourself constantly putting off the actions needed to change it? You have a vision of where you want to be, but too often, it…
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Episode #45 Racial Resilience
Have you ever walked into a meeting and felt a sudden wave of self-consciousness? You scan the room, and it hits you - you're the only person of color, the only one from a different background. There are a few people who look like you at work, but even with a handful of others, it can still feel...
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Episode #44 Growing in the face of feedback
Do you crumple in the face of negative feedback? Instead of seeing negative feedback as a gift for growth, you see it as a personal attack on your abilities. You blame the person who gave you the feedback. And worse, you dwell on old negative feedback and still get upset when you think about it.…
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Episode #43 Creating time for Business Development
Are you constantly remembering that you need to do more business development to build your business case for partnership, but you don't actually do it? You know that you need and should be building your business case and meeting new clients. But you're so busy doing everything else, that you…
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Episode #42 Working Twice As Hard
Think you have to work twice as hard as your white colleagues, to level the playing field and progress your career? This thought leaves you frustrated and resentful and puts you in the dangerous territory of overworking - doing more work that adds less value. Progressing your career isn't about…
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Episode #41 Morning Mastery
Are you squandering your mornings? ⏰ The time between waking up and sitting down to get to work is the most valuable part of your day. But you're not using it that way. You're going through the motions You are stuck in a routine Every day feels the same It's like you're on a hamster wheel. We've...
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Episode #40 Stay in the game
How do you make partner when your billings are low? Stay in the game! The biggest threat to your partnership bid isn't your low billable hours. It's Checking Out. Checking Out happens when you've decided you're unlikely to be promoted where you are and you start dragging your feet in your current...
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Episode #39 Stop consuming. Start implementing!
Posts, reels, videos, trainings, webinars, podcasts, seminars, conferences, workshops, lunch-and-learns and programs (Phew 😮💨 ) So much to learn. So many different ways to learn it. But consuming content on its own is not enough. If you want to make measurable, sustainable progress in your...
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Episode #38 Saying no to good opportunities
Just because the opportunity in front of you is a good one, doesn't mean you should say no to it! I know this sounds counter-intuitive. Why would I NOT accept a good opportunity? I hear you ask. The answer: when the opportunity in question is going to either distract you from your progression…
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Episode #37 Saying yes (when you should have said no)
Have you ever found yourself saying 'yes' when deep down you knew you should have said 'no'? In this episode, I delve into this common predicament and offer you insights and actionable advice to help you recover from unintentional commitments. Whether it's the pressure to conform or the…
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Episode #36 Regulate the pressure
Does it feel like you're drowning? Are you feeling a mounting pressure to be always "on"? No wonder you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed and exhausted. Right now all of this feels out of your control. But there's a way to feel calm under pressure and feel in control of your workload, no matter…
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Episode #35 Real Progress
Are you thinking "To get promoted I have to work twice as hard"? Is the thought of working twice as hard putting you off progressing to the next level? Are your currently working twice as hard because you think it's the only way to get promoted? If this is you, you're in the right place. In this...
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Episode #34 Keep Progressing!
If you think success is all about achieving your goals, think again. Real success comes from a belief in the value of progress and a commitment to keep progressing for the entirety of your career and beyond. One of the common mistakes I see people make (especially in the legal industry) is to be…
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Episode #33 Masterclass Replay- How to progress when you're the only one
You can progress when you're the only one. It doesn't have to be exhausting. Working twice as hard got you here. It won't get you there. What will get you there is a set of 5 vital skills you want to start learning now. On Friday 22nd March 2024 I shared these 5 vital skills with you in my Career...
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Episode #32 Thank goodness they found me
So many clients come to me wanting to progress but at the same time feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and stressed. When I think about the pressure they face and how their lives and careers are different as a result of the work we are doing together all I can think is: thank goodness they have me.…
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Episode #31 Intentional Leadership
"I want to be a better manager and leader than the Partner who lead me" is not a way to lead. It's a style of leadership which will leave you people pleasing and over sheltering your team in a way that serves neither them nor you. In this podcast I talk about the leadership and management styles...
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Episode #30 What emotions are you willing to feel?
What's holding you back isn't the not knowing what to do. In most cases, you already know this. It's the resistance you have to doing it because of the emotions you're afraid you are going to feel. Emotions like: Fear. Awkwardness. Vulnerability. Exposure. Embarrassment. Which emotions are you...
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Episode #29 Plan the week, adapt the day
Just because you can't control everything in your day, doesn't mean you can't control anything. In this episode I explore the thoughts we like to believe about time and how little control we have over it. I explain how thinking you have no control is the reason why you have so little control....
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Episode #28 Dismissing feedback
The one bit of feedback you choose to ignore could be the reason you don't get promoted this year. It can be hard to receive feedback, especially when that feedback is negative, or something we don't agree with, or it comes from someone we neither like or respect. But receiving and implementing...
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Episode #27 Keep doing what's working
Right now, not knowing what's working is costing you: 👉🏾You're wasting time and energy on things that AREN'T progressing your career. 👉🏾You're busy looking for new and shiny solutions "out there" which distract you from what's already working 👉🏾You're feeling discouraged and demotivated...
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Episode #26 Asking for help
Promotion isn't everything. Sometimes, career progression is as simple as asking for help instead of doing it all yourself. The workload is heavy and you have a boss who leaves everything for you to do. You have a client who thinks they own you. The emails keep piling up and you're constantly...
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Episode #25 "I've done all I can"
Hello Legal Imposters listeners - I've had a six-month break from the podcast, and I'm so excited to be back! Today, I'm diving into a limiting thought that is keeping you stuck: "I've done all I can." I'll share how this mindset can lead us down a path of hopelessness and I'll illustrate its...
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Episode #24 What is Coaching
What is coaching? What sort of coaching should you choose? How does it work and how can it help you progress your career? Let's go back to basics. In this podcast episode, I give you all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether coaching is for you and whether to join...
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Episode #23 Knowing Your Value
Adding value is important. It's what you're paid for and it's how you attract opportunities. But how do you add value when you question your right to be there or feel you have nothing to contribute? Not having confidence in the value you bring is frustrating and unsettling. It keeps you stuck in...
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Episode #22 Exercising When Busy
Do you struggle to find time for exercise? One of the common mistakes I see is not making your health and in particular exercise a priority. I get it. Life is busy. Work is demanding. Sometimes exhausting. You work long hours. There aren't enough hours left in the day. But this is no excuse to...
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Episode #21 Unnatural Networking with Charlie Lawson
"You don't have to like networking to be good at it " So says Charlie Lawson, the Unnatural Networker and my guest this week on the Legal Imposters Podcast. Charlie is the ex-BNI boss and unnatural networking expert with 2 books to his name on doing the things many of us find hard: networking and...
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Episode #20 Building Connection
Connection. You can't build a relationship without it. With some people it's just easy. You meet, you talk, you hit it off immediately. But if you want to get ahead in your legal career you can't rely on the effortless connection you form with people who are just like you. You need to be able to...
About this show
Welcome to Legal Imposters - the podcast for lawyers who are making Imposter Syndrome their strength and using it to their advantage in their career. If you've ever felt like a fraud or that your success is down to luck; if you ever have that fear that you're going to be found out - you're in the right place. I'm Caroline Flanagan, ex-lawyer and proud Imposter, and I'm here to show you that Imposter Syndrome isn't here to hold us back. It's here to distinguish us. To elevate us. We were never meant to blend in with those who feel entitled to be here We are not interested in being excluded. We don't need permission to succeed. We are Legal Imposters.We are meant to stand out.Our value lies in who we are and what makes us unique.We're changing what it means to succeed in this industry. We don't succeed in spite of our Imposter Syndrome. We succeed because of it. Welcome to the club. Are you ready?
Hosted by
Caroline Flanagan
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