How to Make Partner Podcast

It happens to all of us. Life gets in the way. A week turns into a month. And suddenly you're not just behind on your BD activities; you're dealing with the added weight of embarrassment, procrastination, or a nagging inner voice telling you it's too late to restart. The longer you leave it, the harder it feels to begin again.In this episode, Heather gets candid about her own experience letting the podcast go quiet for a month. And the exact mindset shifts and practical steps that helped her get back on track. Because knowing why you stopped is only half the battle. What matters most is how quickly you get started again with business development.In this episode you will learn:Why embarrassment and procrastination are the two biggest blockers to restarting your business development. And how to move past bothHow to use your "why" as a powerful motivator to get your BD activities going again when momentum has stalledThe one small, safe action you can take today to break the procrastination cycle and rebuild your business development habitWhy consistency in business development, not perfection, is what builds a partner-ready practice over timeIf you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, "I get the theory, but I need more help actually making time for business development consistently," our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'How to make time for business development' gives you a structured process for building the time management habits needed to prioritise BD, and helps you build your own Partner Track Plan so you're back in control.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

If a partner in your firm is retiring and you’re being lined up to take over their portfolio, it can feel like the route to partnership is clear. The clients are there. The revenue is there. All you have to do is step in.But brokers who sell books of business factor in at least 20% client attrition when a portfolio changes hands. Clients are typically within ten years of the retiring partner’s age. And the practice you inherit may already have been drifting before you arrive.In this episode, you’ll go through the six things you need to plan for. And understand why inheriting a portfolio gives you a starting point, not a Business Case.In This Episode You Will Learn:Why brokers factor in at least 20% client attrition when a book of business changes hands, and what that means for the revenue picture in your Business CaseThe age proximity issue: why a retiring partner’s clients may already be winding down, not growing, and how to account for this in your three-year projectionsThe six things your Business Case must address when it is built on an inherited portfolio, from client retention through to coming out from your predecessor’s shadowWhy a Business Case built entirely on someone else’s relationships is fragile, and what your partners will need to see from you independentlyIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What Help Is Out There For You?If you can see the challenges but aren’t sure how to build all of this into a Business Case your partners will back, our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That’s precisely why we have the on-demand course ‘How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner’ in the Progress to Partner Academy. It walks you through how to build a Business Case on the inheritance premise — one that addresses the risks head on and shows your partners a credible path forward.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

When my team reviews a client’s Business Case for the first time, we almost always find at least one of the same mistakes. Some are fixable with a few hours of rewriting. Others can’t be fixed in the document at all because they’re not document problems. They’re practice problems.In this episode, we go through all seven; what each one looks like, which category it falls into, and what to do about it. The audit at the end is more useful than another hour of writing.In This Episode You Will Learn:- The seven most common Business Case mistakes- Why talking about your technical skills in your Business Case works against you, and what to replace that content with- What Jay’s conversation with equity partners revealed about the difference between planning to build referral networks and already having ones that work- How to do a writing problem vs practice problem audit on your own Business Case, and why that distinction changes everything about what you do nextIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What Help Is Out There For You?If you’ve spotted the problems but aren’t confident you know how to fix them — especially the practice ones — our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That’s precisely why we have the on-demand course ‘How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner’ in the Progress to Partner Academy. It takes you through building a Business Case that is specific, evidenced, commercially grounded, and confident — with no gaps for your partners to find.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Most Business Cases are built around one thing: winning more clients. But your partners aren’t just looking at your revenue ambitions. They’re looking at whether you think commercially; whether you understand margin, efficiency, and what it takes to build something sustainable.This episode shows you why growing your practice profitably often means improving what you already have before you go after new work. And walks through the maths that proves two small changes can increase your profit by 22.5% without a single new client.If your Business Case reads like a revenue wish list rather than a commercial argument, this episode is for you.In This Episode You Will Learn:• Why a Business Case built only on winning new work tells your partners you think like a fee earner, and what commercial thinking actually looks like• The maths behind a 22.5% profit increase from two small changes to margin and billing volume, with no new clients required• How Jessica built a stronger partnership case than most by focusing on profitability in year one before growth in years two and three• Why your Business Case needs to show how the practice grows beyond your own hoursIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What Help Is Out There For You?If you’re thinking, ‘I understand the principle, but I’m not sure how to build the commercial argument in a way that holds up under scrutiny,’ our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That’s precisely why we have the on-demand course ‘How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner’ in the Progress to Partner Academy. It walks you through how to build the financial narrative for your Business Case — including how to think about margin, resourcing, and sustainable growth — using the STAGe model.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

When someone asks how you’re going to grow your practice, most people’s answer is some version of: win more clients.But winning more work is only one of five and a half ways to grow a practice. And it’s not always the highest-leverage one.If your Business Case feels vague, e.g. lots of good intentions, not enough specifics, it’s often because you haven’t yet identified where your real growth levers are. This episode gives you a process-by-process framework to find them.In this episode, you’ll go through all 5.5 processes in any practice, learn how to score each one, and identify the high-impact opportunities that belong in the narrative of your Business Case.In This Episode You Will Learn:- Why ‘win more work’ is only one of five and a half processes and why focusing on it exclusively often isn’t the way to grow a sustainable business- The 5.5 processes framework: Create it, Convert it, Deliver it (client), Deliver it (people), Get paid for it, and Cultivate it — and the key diagnostic question for each one- How to identify which processes are leaking in your practice, and how to separate high-impact opportunities from low-effort quick winsIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What Help Is Out There For You?If you’re thinking, ‘I can see where my practice needs work, but I’m not sure how to turn that into a Business Case and Business Plan that holds together,’ our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That’s precisely why we have the on-demand course ‘How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner’ in the Progress to Partner Academy. It takes you through how to use process analysis to build the narrativJoin our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever had a partner read your Business Case and ask: “But why should it be you? And why now?”That can feel deflating. Especially when you’ve spent years building your practice and the answer feels obvious to you. But here’s the truth: the vast majority of Business Cases never answer those two questions explicitly. And partners feel that gap, even when they can’t immediately articulate what’s missing. In this episode, you’ll discover exactly how to build your answers to both questions; with the evidence that makes a partnership say yes.In This Episode You Will Learn:• Why your technical skills and track record are the wrong answer to the ‘Why Me’ question. And what your partners are actually looking for instead• How Jem, a sales director already winning hundreds of millions in client business, transformed his partnership pitch by answering these two questions, and was told it was the best pitch his firm had ever seen• The four types of evidence that make a strong ‘Why Me’ answer.• The three ‘Why Now’ arguments, and how to identify which one applies to your situation right nowIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode. What Help Is Out There For You?If you’re thinking, ‘I get the concept, but I’m not sure how to build my full Business Case into a document that actually lands,’ our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That’s precisely why we have the on-demand course ‘How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner’ in the Progress to Partner Academy. It takes you step by step through building your Business Case and Business Plan using the STAGe model, including how to develop and evidence your ‘Why Me’ and ‘Why Now’ arguments so they are specific and hard to argue with.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

You've been working on your Business Case for months, maybe years. You know you need to start talking to partners about your partnership ambitions and getting their buy-in.But here's the problem: How do you actually have that conversation without coming across as presumptuous, pushy, or desperate?Do you prepare a full presentation deck? A written Business Plan? Treat it like a formal pitch? Or keep it casual over coffee?Here's what experienced partners say: don't over-prepare. This is a conversation, not a presentation. You're asking for advice and perspective, not delivering a sales pitch.But there's a tension: you can't walk in completely unprepared either. You need to be able to talk intelligently and naturally about your practice without reading from slides.In this episode, you'll discover how to socialise your Business Case in a way that positions you as ready for partnership - without sounding desperate or rehearsed.In this episode you will learn:Why over-preparing with PowerPoint decks actually hurts your chances (and what to do instead)How to summarise your Business Case in 1-3 sentences that sound natural, not rehearsedThe question that flips the conversation and makes partners want to help you (instead of you trying to convince them)A real example of how someone killed their partnership conversation with a 40-slide deck (and what they should have done instead)If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need help developing my business case narrative and preparing for these conversations', our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a course in the Progress to Partner Academy called "How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner". It takes you through step-by-step how to develop your narrative, prepare your evidence, and have these crucial conversations with confidence.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

You've been working on your Business Case for months, maybe years. You know you need to start talking to partners about your partnership ambitions and getting their buy-in.But here's the problem: How do you actually have that conversation without coming across as presumptuous, pushy, or desperate?Do you prepare a full presentation deck? A written Business Plan? Treat it like a formal pitch? Or keep it casual over coffee?Here's what experienced partners say: don't over-prepare. This is a conversation, not a presentation. You're asking for advice and perspective, not delivering a sales pitch.But there's a tension: you can't walk in completely unprepared either. You need to be able to talk intelligently and naturally about your practice without reading from slides.In this episode, you'll discover how to socialise your Business Case in a way that positions you as ready for partnership - without sounding desperate or rehearsed.In this episode you will learn:Why over-preparing with PowerPoint decks actually hurts your chances (and what to do instead)How to summarise your Business Case in 1-3 sentences that sound natural, not rehearsedThe question that flips the conversation and makes partners want to help you (instead of you trying to convince them)A real example of how someone killed their partnership conversation with a 40-slide deck (and what they should have done instead)If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need help developing my business case narrative and preparing for these conversations', our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a course in the Progress to Partner Academy called "How to Create a Cast-Iron Business Case for Partner". It takes you through step-by-step how to develop your narrative, prepare your evidence, and have these crucial conversations with confidence.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Imagine you've decided it's time to have "the conversation" about your partnership ambitions. You book time with a senior partner in your firm. The meeting goes well. You feel energised.Then, a few days later, you sense something's off with your direct line manager. The atmosphere has changed. They seem cool with you.What happened? You just committed one of the cardinal sins of partnership politics: you went to the wrong person first.This political misstep might have just damaged your partnership chances more than any weakness in your Business Case.The unwritten rule: always go to your direct line manager first. Not the senior partner you once worked with. Not the office managing partner. Not the influential partner you met at a networking event. Your direct line manager. Always.In this episode, you'll discover the political rules of partnership conversations that no one tells you about, but everyone expects you to know.In this episode you will learn:The golden rule of partnership conversations (and why breaking it can damage critical relationships)Why your direct line manager needs to be your first conversation (and how going over their head signals you don't value them)How different partners have different agendas (and why the office managing partner cares about different things than your practice group leader)How to ask for partnership conversations without creating political problems (the exact language to use)If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I understand this intellectually, but I genuinely struggle with self-belief and need help changing the story I'm telling myself', our Progress To Partner Academy has resources specifically designed for this.We have recorded masterclasses on overcoming imposter syndrome and changing your firm's perception of you. Our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" includes modules on building the courage to take action even when you're uncertain, with exercises that help you reframe your internal narrative.If you're unsure where to start, take our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows exactly which key indicators to focus on - often just knowing specifically what to work on helps close the confidence gap.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I want to build momentum but I'm genuinely worried about burnout', our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" addresses exactly this.The course helps you create a career development plan that's ambitious but sustainable. You'll identify your ONE BIG FOCUS, build your Default Diary, and develop habits that keep you performing at your best without running yourself into the ground. It includes practical exercises on saying no, delegation, and creating boundaries that protect your energy.If you're unsure where to focus, start with our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows you exactly which key indicators to focus on - helping you prioritize without trying to tackle everything at once.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

How many times have you thought: "I'll put myself forward for partnership when I feel more confident"? Or "I'll start leading that client meeting when I'm sure I know what I'm doing"?Here's the problem: you're waiting for a feeling that only comes after you've done the thing, not before.The confidence gap isn't about what you're capable of. It's about the story you're telling yourself about what you're capable of. And that story is holding you back.Talented professionals postpone their career progression for years because they don't feel confident enough yet. Meanwhile, less technically brilliant colleagues stride ahead because they backed themselves before they felt ready.The sequence isn't confidence→action→results. It's action→results→confidence. And understanding this changes everything.In this episode, you'll discover why waiting to feel ready is backwards thinking - and what to do instead.In this episode you will learn:Why the sequence isn't confidence→action→results, it's actually action→results→confidence (and why this changes everything)The three lies the confidence gap tells you (and why "everyone else feels confident" is the biggest lie of all)The one question that cuts through all the confidence gap rubbish and tells you exactly what to do nextA real example of someone who won £200k of work whilst feeling terrified (and how the confidence came afterwards, not before)If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I understand this intellectually, but I genuinely struggle with self-belief and need help changing the story I'm telling myself', our Progress To Partner Academy has resources specifically designed for this.We have recorded masterclasses on overcoming imposter syndrome and changing your firm's perception of you. Our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" includes modules on building the courage to take action even when you're uncertain, with exercises that help you reframe your internal narrative.If you're unsure where to start, take our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows exactly which key indicators to focus on - often just knowing specifically what to work on helps close the confidence gap.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I want to build momentum but I'm genuinely worried about burnout', our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" addresses exactly this.The course helps you create a career development plan that's ambitious but sustainable. You'll identify your ONE BIG FOCUS, build your Default Diary, and develop habits that keep you performing at your best without running yourself into the ground. It includes practical exercises on saying no, delegation, and creating boundaries that protect your energy.If you're unsure where to focus, start with our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows you exactly which key indicators to focus on - helping you prioritize without trying to tackle everything at once.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

You've decided 2026 is your year. You've identified your ONE BIG FOCUS. You've blocked out time in your diary. You're ready to go.But here's what usually happens: you go too hard, too fast. You try to overhaul everything at once. You add business development on top of your crushing workload. You say yes to every opportunity.By week three, you're exhausted. By week six, you've quietly dropped most of your career development. By week twelve, you're burnt out and back where you started.Building momentum towards partnership isn't about working harder or doing more. It's about doing the right things consistently without burning yourself out. And the secret? Start smaller than feels comfortable.In this episode, you'll discover how to pace yourself from day one so you can sustain your career development efforts for the years it takes to make partner.In this episode you will learn:- Why "just work harder" is a terrible strategy for partnership progression (and what successful partners do instead)- The three traps that kill momentum in the first 90 days (and how to avoid each one)- How to start smaller than feels comfortable (and why this counterintuitive approach actually gets you to partnership faster)- A real example of someone who won £180k of new work by doing less, not moreIf you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I want to build momentum but I'm genuinely worried about burnout', our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" addresses exactly this.The course helps you create a career development plan that's ambitious but sustainable. You'll identify your ONE BIG FOCUS, build your Default Diary, and develop habits that keep you performing at your best without running yourself into the ground. It includes practical exercises on saying no, delegation, and creating boundaries that protect your energy.If you're unsure where to focus, start with our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows you exactly which key indicators to focus on - helping you prioritize without trying to tackle everything at once.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

It's early January. Fresh notebook. New determination. Clear goal: this is the year you make serious progress towards partnership. You've written down your intentions: "Build my profile. Win more work. Delegate more"By February, that notebook is buried under client files. By April, you've given up pretending. By December, you're making the same promises for next year.Here's the brutal truth: most New Year intentions for career progression fail by Valentine's Day. Not because you're not committed, but because intentions without a proper plan and time to execute are just wishful thinking.The difference between professionals who make progress and those who don't isn't talent or work ethic. It's whether they've opened their diary and blocked out time to work on their career - and then protected that time like it's their most important client meeting.In this episode, you'll discover the simple system that turns January intentions into actual progress.In this episode you will learn:Why "do more business development" isn't a plan (and why your brain can't act on vague instructions)How to create your ONE BIG FOCUS for the next 90 days (the one thing that will drive your career forward the most)The only thing that actually works: scheduling time in your diary and protecting it like a client meetingWhy you can't create time for partnership-level work without ruthlessly delegating everything that doesn't need to be done at your levelIf you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get this, but I need help identifying my ONE BIG FOCUS and creating a system that forces me to work on my career', our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" is designed exactly for this.The course takes you through creating a career development plan you're actually motivated to implement. You'll identify your ONE BIG FOCUS, create your Default Diary, and build habits that support your progression. By the end, you'll have a concrete plan and protected time in your diary to execute it.If you're unsure where to focus, start with our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes 12 minutes and shows you exactly which key indicators to focus on to progress your career.If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Picture this: It's December 2026. You're looking back at the year, and once again, you haven't moved your career forward. Not really. You meant to. You had good intentions in January. But somehow, twelve months slipped by whilst you waited for the right moment, for your partners to give you clearer guidance, for your workload to calm down.Meanwhile, your peer, the one who's arguably less technically brilliant than you, has just been told they're on the partnership track. Why? Because whilst you were waiting for permission, they just started.The uncomfortable truth: you're waiting for permission that's never going to come. Partnership isn't a promotion where you wait your turn. It's a transition to business ownership. And business owners don't wait to be told what to do - they figure it out and get started.In this episode, you'll discover why the Permission Trap is killing your career progression and what to do instead.In this episode you will learn:- Why partnership doesn't work like previous promotions (and why waiting for your turn will leave you stuck)- The three things you're probably waiting for that will never arrive (and why your partners deliberately keep criteria fuzzy)- What happens to your career when you defer action year after year (whilst less talented peers overtake you)- How to give yourself permission to start before you feel ready (because confidence comes from doing, not before doing)What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I understand I need to stop waiting, but I'm genuinely unsure where to start', take our free Partnership Readiness Assessment. It takes about 12 minutes and gives you an instant report showing exactly which areas you need to focus on.If you want structured support to create your career plan and actually implement it, our on-demand course "How to Truly Commit to Moving Your Career Forward" gives you the frameworks to build a plan you're motivated to execute, PLUS the tactics to create the time you need to work on it. You'll set your first ONE BIG FOCUS for the next 90 days and create habits that support your career progression.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help navigating the politics and building my business case for partnership', our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course on building your business case for partnership gives you the frameworks to position yourself strategically. And our virtual masterclasses on managing the politics of partnership give you practical tools for this crucial period.If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Picture this: You're on the partnership track. Your partners want to see you being a good firm citizen - getting involved in office initiatives, social mobility programs, pro bono work, workplace culture activities. So you say yes. You say yes again. And again.But now you're stretched thin. Your utilisation is suffering. You're working longer hours just to keep up with your chargeable work. And you've got six non-chargeable responsibilities when you probably only have capacity for two.How do you have the conversation to drop some of these responsibilities without partners thinking you're selfish or not committed to the firm? This is one of the biggest bear traps for professionals on the partnership track - and today, we're going to solve it.In this episode you will learn:- Why partners actually have conflicting views on firm citizenship (and how to navigate what this means for you)- The exact conversation framework to use when you need to drop commitments without triggering the "not a firm citizen" response- How to assess which firm citizenship activities are strategically valuable versus dead-end time sinks- Why going to the wrong person first about dropping responsibilities can backfire politically - and who to approach insteadWhat help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help managing my time better so I can do both chargeable work and firm citizenship well', our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'How to Make Time for Business Development' gives you practical frameworks for managing competing priorities and having the right conversations about your workload. And we have great videos on navigating politics and learning how to gracefully say no to partners.If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

You've spent years building your career. Strong financials, great client relationships, partners telling you you're on track. You're in touching distance of partnership - maybe 3 months away, maybe 15 months away. This should be the exciting final stretch.Here's the uncomfortable truth: this is exactly when some of the best candidates accidentally derail themselves. In cricket, they call it the "nervous 90s" - when a batsman is so close to making a century that they want it too much and do stupid stuff they wouldn't otherwise do. The same thing happens on the path to partnership.In this episode, you'll discover the five critical mistakes that can cost you the partnership you've worked so hard for - and more importantly, how to avoid them. These aren't theoretical pitfalls. These come directly from partners who've watched strong candidates stumble in the final stretch and want you to succeed where others have failed.In this episode you will learn:Why your utilisation numbers can sink your partnership bid even when everyone's backing you - and how to fix the problem before it's too lateThe difference between healthy ambition and "sharp elbows" that make partners think twice about making you their business partnerHow to balance being a firm citizen without becoming so overcommitted that your billable work suffers (and the exact conversation to have when you need to drop commitments)Why "meets expectations" feedback in your final stretch is actually a warning sign you need to address immediatelyIf you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you're thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help navigating the politics and building my business case for partnership', our Progress To Partner Academy can help you.That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course on building your business case for partnership gives you the frameworks to position yourself strategically. And our virtual masterclasses on managing the politics of partnership give you practical tools for this crucial period.If you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever wonder why partners seem hesitant about your progression despite your strong performance? Here's the truth: it's not about your technical ability or billable hours. It's about something partners call the "peace of mind test" - would they sleep soundly knowing you're handling their top client while they're on holiday, or would they wake at 3am in a cold sweat?This test reveals what's really being assessed for partnership. Your partners are asking themselves: can I trust this person with my business? Can work go out under my name without me reviewing it first? If you're still waiting for someone to sign off everything you do, there's a mindset shift you need to make - and it doesn't mean you're not capable, it means you need to start acting like the partner you want to become.In this episode, you'll discover what the peace of mind test really measures and how to pass it with flying colors. You'll learn the specific shifts that signal you're ready to be trusted with partner-level responsibility.In this episode you will learn:Why the "peace of mind test" matters more than your technical skills when partners assess your readiness for partnershipHow to shift from "managing clients" to "running a practice" - the mental transition that signals partner readinessThe exact language changes that increase your gravitas and authority (replace "I just think..." with words that command respect)Why naked ambition without team contribution raises red flags - and how to demonstrate hunger for partnership while building trustIf you find this episode useful, don't forget to like it and then subscribe so you don't miss another episode.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you waiting until you make partner to start building your referral network? Do you struggle to get referrals from your contacts because they don't really understand what you do? If you're wondering when the right time is to start nurturing relationships that could send work your way, this episode will change how you think about networking.I share what I've learned about building a referral network that actually generates business, not just pleasant coffee meetings. In this episode, I talk about why waiting until you're senior is a costly mistake and how the relationships you build today become the decision-makers who hire you tomorrow. You'll hear practical strategies for turning colleagues and contacts into a consistent source of quality referrals.What you'll learn in the podcast episode:- Why you should start building your referral network much earlier in your career than you think, and the compounding advantage this gives you over colleagues who wait- The four types of people who need to be in your network right now if you want a steady flow of referrals in the future, including the often-overlooked group that could be your best source of work- The critical mistake professionals make when trying to generate referrals (hint: it's not asking too often, it's failing to communicate something specific about what you do)- What actually triggers a referral and the four-part formula that explains why some people get recommended constantly whilst others are never thought of- How to educate your network on the value you provide without sounding salesy or pushy, so they know exactly when and how to refer youWhy asking for referrals straight away is the fastest way to damage a promising relationship, and what to do instead to build goodwill over time.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for your firm to send you on a course or invest in your development.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

You can work 60-hour weeks, say yes to every request, and still get overlooked for promotion. Why? Because it’s not about pleasing everyone, it’s about building strong relationships with the right people.In this episode of the How to Make Partner Podcast, Heather Townsend explains why political savvy means going deep with 10–15 influential partners, not spreading yourself thin across 100 surface-level relationships.What you’ll learn in this episode- Why saying yes to every partner won’t guarantee career progress.- How one consultant shifted her focus and went from overlooked to partner.- The “airport test”, and why being good company matters as much as competence.- Practical ways to make partners look good and earn their loyalty.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for your firm to send you on a course or invest in your development.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do your client ‘account management’ calls feel more like taking orders than giving valuable advice? In this episode, I explain how to change these conversations so you feel like a valued professional and trusted advisor not just another pair of hands.This problem often happens when we let the client dictate the entire relationship, slowly training them to see us as reactive order takers. To change this, you need to take control of the conversation and shift the focus to proactive, strategic advice. In this episode, I'll walk you through a simple process to make your next client call more valuable for both of you, and for your firm.In this episode you will learn:Why sending a simple agenda beforehand is the most powerful thing you can do.How to lead the meeting from the very beginning to establish yourself as a peer.The powerful questions you need to ask that elevate you from a doer to a thinker.How to turn a routine catch-up into a strategic conversation that the client values.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you’re thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help with winning work and difficult conversations’, our Progress To Partner Academy can help you. That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'The Go-To Expert' gives you all the tools to confidently win work and always be in demand for new business. And our how to have a difficult conversation virtual masterclass gives you the ‘how to’ for having these crucial conversations.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for your firm to send you on a course or invest in your development.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you spend hours writing the perfect proposal, only to be ghosted by the prospect?In this episode, I explain why the problem isn't your proposal, but what you did before you ever started writing it.Too many of us treat a proposal like a sales brochure, but the sale should be made long before the document is sent. The proposal is just a confirmation of what has already been verbally agreed. I'll show you how to shift your process so you stop wasting time on proposals that go nowhere and start winning more of the work you want.In this episode you will learn:- The three essential conversations you must have before you even think about writing.-My go-to diagnostic questions for uncovering what a prospect really needs.-How to get a verbal agreement on the scope and price to avoid any awkward surprises.- The common proposal writing mistakes that can make you look like a commodity.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you’re thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help with winning work and difficult conversations’, our Progress To Partner Academy can help you. That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'The Go-To Expert' gives you all the tools to confidently win work and always be in demand for new business. And our how to have a difficult conversation virtual masterclass gives you the ‘how to’ for having these crucial conversations.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you’re thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help with winning work and difficult conversations’, our Progress To Partner Academy can help you. That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'The Go-To Expert' gives you all the tools to confidently win work and always be in demand for new business. And our how to have a difficult conversation virtual masterclass gives you the ‘how to’ for having these crucial conversations.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for your firm to send you on a course or invest in your development.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

What do you do when a client pushes back on fees for out of scope work that they have asked for?In this episode, I show you how to handle that awkward conversation without damaging the relationship. Or getting into trouble with your partners for writing off or discounting the extra fee due.It's a deeply frustrating situation that most of us face at some point, and it often happens when we've been too helpful without clearly defining the scope upfront. By avoiding a small, slightly awkward conversation early on, we create a much bigger and more painful one later. This episode gives you a script to manage the situation and a clear process to stop it from happening again.In this episode you will learn:- A simple four-step process to handle fee pushback professionally.- The exact words to use to get the conversation onto the phone and avoid an email argument.- How to re-educate your client about your process so there are no surprises in the future.- The one change to make to your engagement letters to prevent this from happening again.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.What help is out there for you to progress your career in the professions?If you’re thinking, 'I get the theory, but I need more help with winning work and difficult conversations’, our Progress To Partner Academy can help you. That's precisely why we have a suite of courses in the Progress to Partner Academy to help you with this. For example, our course 'The Go-To Expert' gives you all the tools to confidently win work and always be in demand for new business. And our how to have a difficult conversation virtual masterclass gives you the ‘how to’ for having these crucial conversations.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for your firm to send you on a course or invest in your development.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you hate working with someone new? Knowing that it is going to take time to work out how to get the best of them?When you start working with someone new, do you just hope for the best? The most effective people managers don't leave working relationships to chance. They have a repeatable and structured approach to their very first conversation.That conversation? It's based on what my good friend and host of the Superstar Communicator Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/2W7ujjFzI80AZM6kfJ3qB0), Susan Heaton Wright, calls a "Diva Contract"Use the Diva Contract - which can be done in 10 mins - to prevent 90% of future problems. Your Diva Contract will help your junior or new team member feel safe, listened too and supported. Whilst you will establish what you really need from them.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to introduce the "Diva Contract" and share your own working preferences.- The importance of asking your team members for their "terms".- How to agree on a 'mistake protocol' to make it safe for people to raise problems early.- Why this short conversation saves you hours of frustration down the line.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.In our Progress To Partner Academy you'll find our popular courses:- How to delegate like a pro- How to lead a hybrid team- How to excel as a line managerJoin our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you look at partners and wonder how they got such a brilliant senior associate who just 'gets it'? And how your life would be easier if you had that trusted and capable number 2?The secret is that great deputies aren't found, they are made.In this episode, I dismantle the myth of the perfect 'number two'. Your partners have developed and invested in their 'number two'.I explain that waiting for a finished article to arrive on your team is a losing strategy. Instead, you need to actively invest your time to develop your junior members into the trusted support you need to get to partner.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to shift your mindset from finding talent to developing it.- Why investing time in your team is the best way to boost your own career.- Why scheduled feedback is the most powerful development tool you have.- How to explain the "why" behind your changes to train juniors to think like you.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.In our Progress To Partner Academy you'll find our popular courses:- How to delegate like a pro- How to lead a hybrid team- How to excel as a line managerJoin our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever feel your work gets pushed to the bottom of your junior's list? Do you worry about being seen as 'demanding'?The problem often isn’t your team, it’s that in your desire to seem nice, your polite language is being translated as "non-urgent".This episode tackles the common frustration of having your work deprioritised. I share a simple but powerful communication tactic that turns a vague request into a clear expectation. It’s about getting your work done on time without having to become a demanding diva.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why vague phrases like "when you have a chance" are killing your deadlines.- The exact words to use to reframe a polite request into a clear expectation.- How to check for understanding without being patronising.- A tactic to ensure your work gets the priority it deserves.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.In our Progress To Partner Academy you'll find our popular courses:- How to delegate like a pro- How to lead a hybrid team- How to excel as a line managerJoin our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you secretly believe it’s just quicker and safer to do the work yourself? Are you worried about your junior blowing the budget and then having to redo it yourself?In this episode, I break down the three biggest fears that get in the way of effective delegation. Using real examples from a recent coaching call with senior lawyers, I explore the anxieties around deadlines, budgets, and the quality of work coming back. This episode is full of practical tips to help you move past the fear and start managing your team with confidence.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to use "back pocket time" to eliminate deadline anxiety.- The assertive language that ensures your budget expectations are always met.- Why you must mandate check-ins to prevent work from coming back wrong.- How to shift from being a stressed doer to a confident delegator.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.In our Progress To Partner Academy you'll find our popular courses:- How to delegate like a pro- How to lead a hybrid team- How to excel as a line managerJoin our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Ever wondered how you get others in your firm to help you move your career forward? It’s about knowing who influences whom.The people with the most influence in your firm aren’t always the ones with the biggest titles. Sometimes it’s a senior partner. Sometimes it’s their long-standing PA. Sometimes it’s the colleague with deep social ties from a merger years ago.In this episode of the How to Make Partner Podcast, I show you how to identify who really holds the power, and why mapping influence is a crucial political skill for any lawyer, accountant, or consultant aiming to progress.This episode has been inspired by my 30 minute video in Progress To Partner on how to be politically savvy.Listen to this episode to discover:- The difference between formal authority and real influence.- How hidden networks, social ties, friendships, mergers, shape decisions.- Why access and trust often matter more than job titles.- A simple way to sketch your firm’s “real power map.”If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Download my free Guide To Navigating Office Politics: http://how-to-make-partner.kit.com/officepoliticsTake our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Ever been described as a safe pair of hands? Or do your partners really rate you but never seem to want help you progress your career. The messages, i.e. the narrative, about you in your firm can make or break your career progression.The truth is, in professional services, it’s not just your results that matter. It’s the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room. That story, your narrative, can either open doors or quietly shut them.In this episode of the How to Make Partner Podcast, I talk about how to take control of your narrative so you’re not left relying on luck or other people’s assumptions.This episode has been inspired by my 30 minute video in Progress To Partner on how to be politically savvy.- Why once a story about you takes hold, it’s hard to shift.- How to build a narrative that people actually remember.- The three ingredients every strong narrative needs.- How to spread your story through the firm so it gets repeated in the right rooms.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.Chapters00:00 The Importance of your narrative02:47 Building your personal narrative05:36 How narratives travel and influenceAbout Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Download my free Guide To Navigating Office Politics: http://how-to-make-partner.kit.com/officepoliticsTake our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever had a key team member reassigned by a senior partner, leaving you in the lurch?It's a constant risk for anyone who manages assignments whether as a senior associate, director or even junior partner. It can leave you feeling powerless and scrambling to meet your deadlines. This episode is all about taking back control by building a resilient team that can withstand internal politics. I'll share my practical tips to make your team almost poach-proof.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why you should look for the overlooked "Steady Eddies" instead of the A-star performers everyone wants.- How to talk with your partners like a peer, turning a resource squeeze into a collective problem to solve.- Practical ways to be a great manager so that people want to work with you and are less likely to be tempted away.- The importance of having a Plan B and C for your resources so you are never caught off guard.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.Chapters01:10 Steady Eddies02:24 Think like a partner when talking about resource03:05 Be the person people want to work for04:00 Build your pipeline of interesting work04:48 Have a plan B & C05:54 Strategies for Team Development and RetentionAbout Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do job interviews make you nervous? You’re not alone. These nerves? Normal. But they could be ruining your ability to land your next great role and opportunity.Many highly capable professionals in practice, accountants, lawyers, consultants, find themselves stumbling in interviews, even though they thrive in their day job.As a result stopping them from being at their best and demonstrating their full potential to their next new employer or line manager.In this episode, I share practical tips and the STAR framework to manage anxiety and show your true strengths when it matters most.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why interview anxiety happens, and how to reframe it.- The STAR framework for structuring confident answers.- Simple preparation steps that ease the pressure on the day.- Calming techniques to help you walk into the room with focus.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.Chapters00:00 Understanding Interview Anxiety02:53 Reframing Nerves and Preparing Effectively06:00 Calming Techniques for InterviewsAbout Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Ever feel like you are walking on eggshells at work, trying not to say or do the wrong thing? Or wish that you could take a break from the exhausting office politics?In this episode, I am exploring how to navigate the inevitable politics within your firm. This is not about being 'political' which can be a polite term for someone who lacks substance, but about becoming politically savvy to get things done with minimum noise.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to identify the real movers and shakers in your firm, who may not always be the people with the most imposing job titles.- The importance of self control, and why you need to weigh up each situation carefully before speaking your mind.- The risk of being part of the office grapevineIf you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

How do you get work from your friends and close contacts without feeling pushy, desperate, or damaging the relationship?It’s a classic dilemma, particularly when your friends and former colleagues are in senior positions at your companies that you would like to have as a client. Indeed, it was the topic of a recent podcast episode here. In this episode, we are going to break down how actually to do the ask… and still preserve the friendship.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why the first and most important step is to have an open and honest conversation to overcome the paralysis that comes from the fear of being seen as "annoying" or "desperate."- How to frame the conversation by being direct and explaining your situation, for example, by saying, "I'm on the path to partnership, and a big part of that for me is building my own book of business."- The importance of protecting the friendship first by giving your contact an "out," making it clear that the relationship is more important than the work.- How to handle the common concern, "Won't your partner just take all the credit?" by reassuring them that originating work benefits you hugely and shifting the focus to the value and expertise of your entire firm.If these strategies make sense, but you're thinking, "I’m not sure where to start with who to speak with in my network," that's why having a plan is so important. The courses Creating a Business Development Plan and From Coffees To Instructions in our Progress to Partner Academy are a great place to start. These courses will give you a repeatable structure to turn your relationships into revenue consistently.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever feel like your networking is like "chucking jelly at a wall and hoping some of it will stick?".It’s a common feeling; you’re busy with coffees and events, but it’s not translating into meaningful work. In this episode, we're going to fix that. I'll share three practical strategies to turn your networking activity into a reliable, lead-generating machine.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to change the conversation by ditching clichés like "Are you busy?" and asking more insightful questions like "What's on your desk at the moment?".- Why you must audit your network to focus your time, prioritise the people who are already giving you work, and stop spending valuable time on relationships that won't lead to business.- How to work smarter, not harder by using scalable methods, like a short monthly insights email, to stay top of mind with key contacts without needing constant in-person meetings.If these strategies make sense, but you're thinking, "I need a system to make sure I follow through and don't just fall back into my old habits," that's why having a plan is so important. The courses Creating a Business Development Plan and From Coffees To Instructions in our Progress to Partner Academy are a great place to start. These courses will give you a repeatable structure to turn your relationships into revenue consistently.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you want to become a recognised expert in your field? For clients and work to come to you based on your known expertise?In this episode, I'm sharing my personal playbook for building a powerful personal brand, one that makes clients seek you out. This doesn't happen by luck; it happens by design. I'll walk you through how it all comes down to two foundational principles: Consistency and Commitment. It took me over a decade of consistent work to get to a place where people call me for my expertise, and I want to show you how you can start that journey today.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why the foundation of a strong brand is built on Consistency and Commitment.- How to define your niche by asking three critical questions: What are you passionate about, what are you credible in, and is there a market for it right now?- The importance of credentialising yourself by building a body of work, whether that's through writing articles, a newsletter, or even short videos.- Why you must commit to your chosen platform and show up regularly to build a brand that lasts and attracts the high-quality work you want.- Tune in to find out how to become that recognised leader in your field. The type of personal brand that means that work seems to come to you effortlessly.If you find this episode useful, don’t forget to like it and then subscribe so you don’t miss another episode.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/progresstopartner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you want to build a large, engaged following on social media but don't know where to start? Have you ever wondered how some people manage to build a tribe that feeds them work for years?Building a profile and a following is a key part of winning your own clients and making a Business Case for partnership. You can’t just be a great technician anymore, you need to be known for what you do.  In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I share the deliberate playbook I’ve used time and time again to grow a powerful online tribe.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why you must start with your ‘Why’ or you will not have the motivation to continue when things get tough. - The secret to branding on social media: people like people, so your brand should be you first, and your professional expertise second. - How to choose your narrative by being authentic and vulnerable, while still maintaining clear red lines about what you won't share. - Why you cannot dabble, and must commit to engaging regularly on your chosen platform, even when it feels like a grind. - The importance of putting your best stuff out there for free to build trust and drive growth. Tune in to find out how to turn your expertise into a powerful and engaged online following.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Is your diary packed with networking coffees, lunches, and events? But when you look at your pipeline, does the effort you’re putting in match the work you’re getting out?It’s a common trap. You're told to build a network, so you get out there, but soon find yourself going through the motions without a clear purpose. If you feel like you're "chucking jelly at a wall, hoping some of it will stick", this episode is for you. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I share the advice from a group coaching call on how to turn your networking activity into a powerful, lead generating machine.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to conduct a ruthless audit of your network to stop wasting time and focus on the contacts who will actually help you progress. - The simple, insightful questions that will change your conversations and naturally open the door to discussing business. - Why you must be ready to credentialise yourself by talking about the trends you are seeing in your market. - How to be direct and have the "honest ask" with friends who are in a position to give you work. - How to use follow-ups to stay top of mind with key contacts without having yet another coffee meeting. About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How To Go From Coffees To Instructions course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/coffees-to-instructions/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Does your week ever feel like a game of Diary Jenga? Do you keep telling yourself you'll focus on business development "when things quiet down"?You carve out time, but then an urgent client request or a last minute partner demand comes in, and your good intentions remain just that, intentions. The reality for successful professionals is that the quiet time rarely arrives, and relying on it means your business development will simply not happen. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I explain how to stop waiting for time and start making time.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why partners are looking for Sales Leaders who make time for business development every single day, regardless of their workload. - How to form a Business Development Habit that becomes automatic, stopping the voices of doubt and fear from getting in the way.- The 5Ps model: a strategic framework to help you PLAN, build a PROSPECT list, PRIORITISE, PACE yourself, and PUSH DOWN work. - The single question you must ask yourself to prioritise your daily actions for the biggest impact. - Why delegating technical work is a critical and non-negotiable step to free you up for higher value, strategic activities. Tune in to find out how to bust the myth of the "quiet period" and build the habits you need to move your career forward.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How to put together your Business Development Plan Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/business-development-plan/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you tired of being seen as just a "good technician"? Do you want to come out from your partners' shadows and build a reputation that makes you a destination for work?The days of making partner based on technical skill alone are gone. You are now expected to win your own clients. This requires a shift from being a passive consumer of information to an active creator of valuable content that builds your personal brand. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I explain the practical steps to becoming a recognised "Go To Expert" in your field.Listen to this episode to discover:- The simple, three-step process to becoming a Go-To Expert. - Why choosing a niche based on Passion, Credibility, and Fit is the essential first step to differentiating yourself. - The four key questions your online content must answer for a prospective client. - Why you need to show up as yourself first, and a professional second, to build a real emotional connection. - The three time-efficient ways to generate content: Generate, Curate, and Recycle. Tune in to find out how to move from being a passive technician to a proactive business winner.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you being told to use your personal networks to generate new business? But does the thought of asking friends from your social circle for work feel uncomfortable?You worry about being "annoying" or "pushy", and fear that mixing business with friendship could make the relationship strange. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. This is one of the most common hurdles on the path to partner. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I share advice from a coaching call with lawyers on how to navigate this exact challenge.Listen to this episode to discover:- How to conduct a ruthless audit of your social circle to focus your time on the people who can actually help you. - A simple, insightful question to ask that naturally opens the door to a business discussion without feeling clunky. - The honest, direct script you can use to ask a good friend for help with your career progression without feeling "salesy". - How to protect your friendship by putting it first and removing all the pressure from the conversation. - What to say when a friend worries that the work, and the credit, will just go to your partner. About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our How to go from Coffees to Instructions Course: Take our How to go from Coffees to Instructions CourseTake our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Does the thought of posting on LinkedIn fill you with a sense of dread? Do you worry about how to avoid the “cringe” or that “icky feeling” of being too salesy?If you see business development on platforms like LinkedIn as a necessary evil, something that feels unnatural and uncomfortable, you are not alone. Many of the most talented professionals I work with feel exactly the same way. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, I share the advice I gave to a group of lawyers on how to build your profile and win work online in a way that feels authentic to you.Listen to this episode to discover:- The crucial mindset shift from being a passive ‘consumer’ of content to an active ‘giver’ in the conversation. - Why choosing and committing to a niche is the secret to making your content creation focused and easier. - How to reframe your activity from ‘selling’ to ‘helping your clients to buy’. - Practical, non-salesy ideas for posts you can use immediately, from sharing successes to using your hobbies as a hook.- Why a consistent, long-term approach will always win over a "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" strategy. Tune in to find out how to stop worrying about the 'ick' factor, and start building a powerful and authentic presence on LinkedIn.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Take our "Getting Confident On LinkedIn Course": https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/linkedin-course/Take our Go-To Expert Course: https://subscribe.howtomakepartner.com/gotoexpert-course/Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever hear advice about progressing your career – like owning your time, doing more business development, or thinking like a partner – and think, “Yes, but not right now...”?You might be dealing with your own “Too Hard Box”. The mental place where uncomfortable but important tasks get quietly parked.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, we’ll explore how to recognise when fear, perfectionism, or overwhelm are keeping you stuck. And how to start taking small, manageable steps to move forward.Listen to this episode to discover:- What the “Too Hard Box” is and how to spot what’s inside yours.- The simple mindset model that can help you stop making excuses and start taking action.- 5 practical ways to begin shifting old habits and beliefs that are holding your career back.- How to get out of your own way and start doing the real work that drives your progress.Tune in to find out how to stop passively hoping things will happen – and start making real progress on your path to partner.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedInJoin our Progress To Partner Academy and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for PartnershipBuy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Does the word “selling” make you wince? Do you see business development as something you’ll do later, when you're less busy, more senior, or magically more confident?You're not alone. But if you're aiming for partnership, seeing business development as optional is one of the biggest blockers to progressing your career.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, we’ll reframe what Business Development (BD) really is (hint: it’s not about being pushy), explore why so many professionals avoid it, and show you how to start building a simple, consistent habit that works for you.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why “being good at your job” is no longer enough to make partner.- 6 common reasons talented professionals avoid Business Development, and how to overcome them.- How to reframe selling so it feels aligned with your strengths and personality.- The one mindset that future partners all share around winning work.- Practical tips to build your own business development habit. Even if you're busy or feel like you’re starting from scratch.Tune in to find out how to stop passively hoping things will happen – and start making real progress on your path to partner.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedInJoin our Progress To Partner Academy and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for PartnershipBuy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you waiting for your firm to send you on the training course, your partner to suggest you for promotion, or someone to hand you a career development plan?If so, you’re not alone. But waiting can cost you. In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, you’ll discover why taking full ownership of your own development is a non-negotiable if you’re serious about making partner.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why the support you had earlier in your career often disappears at senior levels – and what to do about it.- The real reason your firm isn’t investing in your development (and why that’s not personal).- What it means to move from “employee” to “business owner” thinking.- 4 practical ways to start actively driving your career today – even if your firm isn’t pointing the way.- Why waiting to be ‘tapped on the shoulder’ is a risky strategy in today’s market.Tune in to find out how to stop passively hoping things will happen – and start making real progress on your path to partner.Related episodesThe critical mindset shift you need to make it you want to make it to partner - https://howtomakepartner.substack.com/p/the-critical-mindset-shift-you-need?r=l8khyAbout Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you ever put off something important for your career – like speaking up, chasing a lead, or finally starting that business development plan – because it feels uncomfortable or scary?That feeling? It’s fear. And for professionals in practice, fear often shows up not as panic, but as procrastination, perfectionism, or avoiding the things that really move your career forward.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, you’ll learn how to recognise fear for what it is – and why acting despite it is a skill every future partner needs to build.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why your brain tries to “protect” you from things like difficult conversations, business development activities and talking about your career progression.- The hidden ways fear shows up at work – and how it keeps you stuck.- Why pushing outside your comfort zone is part of the job if you want to make partner.- A simple mindset shift to help you see fear as a sign of growth (not danger).- One small action you can take this week to start acting despite fear – and build momentum.Tune in to learn how to stop letting fear run the show. And start building the habits and confidence that help you stand out and move forward in your firm.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you constantly running on fumes, relying on caffeine to get through the day, and telling yourself you'll rest after the next big deadline?You're not alone.But here's the truth: your health is not a luxury or something to 'get round to' later. It's the single most important asset you have in your journey to partnership.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, you'll rethink the hustle-at-all-costs culture of professional services – and discover how optimising your wellbeing is a non-negotiable.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why burnout is more than just tiredness – and how it silently sabotages your performance.- The 4 self-care pillars that support sustainable high performance (no scented candles required).- How to use the 3 Buckets Model to check your energy levels and spot the warning signs of overload.- The real cost of skipping sleep, exercise, nutrition and downtime – and how small changes can shift the dial.- Why professionals who make partner and thrive long-term treat wellbeing as non-negotiable.- One small change you can make this week to move from survival mode to strategic, sustained performance.Tune in to learn how to stop treating your body like a machine and start investing in your most valuable career asset – your health.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Does your carefully planned week often get blown off course by Tuesday?Do you feel like your diary belongs to everyone but you – filled with urgent client demands, last-minute partner requests, and endless firefighting? It's easy to feel like a victim of your schedule, constantly reacting instead of proactively driving your day.This feeling of having your time controlled by external forces is incredibly common for busy professionals, but it's also a major barrier to focusing on what really matters for your career progression.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, you'll challenge that 'victim mindset' and explore practical ways to start taking back control of your most precious resource – your time.Listen to this episode to discover:- The tough truth: Why you are ultimately in control of how you spend your time (even when it doesn't feel like it!).- Common ways you might be giving away control without realising it (and the underlying reasons, like firm culture, people-pleasing, or fear).- Why simply accepting the chaos isn't sustainable for reaching partnership.  - 6 actionable tactics to regain control:Stop letting your diary dictate your priorities. Tune in to learn how to move from feeling reactive and overwhelmed to proactively managing your time and making space for what truly matters on your path to partner.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you technically brilliant? Do you consistently smash your targets and deliver great work for clients?That's fantastic – but is it enough to make partner? Often, the answer is no.Many high-performing senior professionals get stalled on their partnership journey because they're still operating with an 'employee' mindset, focusing primarily on utilisation and technical delivery. Making partner, however, requires a fundamental shift – thinking, acting, and feeling like a business owner.In this episode of the How to Make Partner podcast, you'll hear, arguably, about the most critical mindset shift you need to make.You'll hear why partnership isn't just another promotion and why your partners need more than just another pair of safe hands.Listen to this episode to discover:- Why making partner means transitioning from employee to business owner (and what that truly entails).- The common 'employee mindset' traps that can sabotage your progression (Are you caught in the Utilisation Trap? Are you Waiting to be Fed work? Are you thinking Technically, Not Commercially?).- Why partners are looking for commerciality, leverage, and strategic thinking, not just technical excellence.- 5 Actionable ways you can start thinking and acting more like a partner today, regardless of your current role.If you're aiming to progress your career in the professions, understanding and embedding this mindset shift is non-negotiable.Tune in to learn how to move beyond being a top performer and start demonstrating true partner potential.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugMBuy your copy of The Go To Expert - https://amzn.to/3HGPYlPBuy your copy of The Financial Times Guide To Business Networking - https://amzn.to/406QPma Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Do you start the year, or maybe come back from holiday, full of fantastic intentions to finally focus on your career progression, only for those plans to evaporate within days under a mountain of client work and deadlines?You know you need to make time for development and strategic thinking, but the day-to-day reality of professional services just seems to get in the way.If you're nodding along, feeling like your career goals are constantly being pushed aside by urgent demands, this episode is for you!This episode tackles the common challenge of how to carve out that vital time for your career, even when you feel completely swamped.  Listen to this episode to discover:- Why you need to cut yourself some slack during peak busy times, but why starting is still crucial.- The power of starting small: Forget grand gestures – what tiny actions can you take this week to build momentum?- A powerful mindset shift: Treating your career progression like your most important client.- How to escape the "when" trap (i.e., "I'll do it when things quieten down...").- Why progressing your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and how to pace yourself to avoid overwhelm.- Practical strategies for learning to say "no" (or "not right now") gracefully, protecting your time without damaging relationships.- How to use a Default Diary or Time Blocking to proactively schedule time for your career development, ensuring the important stuff actually happens.- Stop letting your career progression be an afterthought. Tune in for practical strategies, mindset shifts, and actionable tips to help you move from intention to action this year.About Progress To Partner Academy: On-demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugM Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe

Are you an ambitious lawyer, accountant, or consultant working in practice? Is making partner your goal, but sometimes the path feels unclear, overwhelming, or just plain tough? Maybe you’re brilliant technically, but you know you need more – more commerciality, better time management, stronger leadership skills, or a clearer strategy for business development?If that sounds like you, then you're in the right place. Welcome to the How to Make Partner podcast.I’m Heather Townsend, author of bestselling books like Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3 and co-author of How to Make Partner and Still Have a Life. - https://amzn.to/4iLxugM And in this weekly podcast, I share practical, actionable advice drawn from years of coaching professionals just like you, insights from our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/- members, and the proven strategies outlined in my books.We tackle the real-world challenges you face on the journey to partner: making that crucial mindset shift from employee to business owner, learning how to effectively build your client base, taking control of your time and workload, developing your leadership presence, building a compelling business case, and successfully navigating the often-opaque partnership admissions process.My aim is simple: to give you the clarity, confidence, and practical tools you need to not just make partner, but to thrive when you get there.So, if you’re serious about taking the next step in your career, hit that subscribe button now. Join me each week for straightforward, actionable strategies to help you navigate your path to partnership.New episodes are published every Saturday morning at 06:30 UK time.About Progress To Partner Academy: On demand career help and guidanceYou have to drive your career forwards. Your firm wouldn't do that for you.Stop waiting to be noticed for career development courses by your firm.Make the firm notice you! You will get the skills and knowledge about what the partners are really looking for when you join our Progress to Partner Academy.Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Links:Complete our FREE Partnership Readiness Assessment - https://careerprogressionreadiness.scoreapp.com to see where you have gaps in your own development - you'll get a personalised report with actions for what progress your career forwardConnect with me on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathertownsend/Join our Progress To Partner Academy - https://www.howtomakepartner.com/get-progress-to-partner/ and use the code PODCAST10 to get 10% off 12 months of premium annual membership.Buy your copy of Poised for Partnership - https://amzn.to/3ETEYk3Buy your copy of How To Make Partner And Still Have A Life - https://amzn.to/4iLxugM Get full access to How to Make Partner at howtomakepartner.substack.com/subscribe