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Instruction Book for Managing Partners
Congratulations! Your firm has voted you managing partner. As the initial elation dies down, you face the inevitable question: Now what do I do?
You turn, of course, to the instruction book "First 100 Days: Transitioning a New Managing Partner." According to its author, Patrick J. McKenna, this free e-book "provides prescriptive counsel to new firm leaders on what actions they might consider as they begin undertaking their initial responsibilities."
Some of the advice offered in this book may strike you as obvious. For example:
- "Build a working relationship with the departing Managing Partner."
- "Create constructive dialogue with key thought leaders and power brokers within your firm."
- And my favorite: "Figure out what you need to know and learn it as rapidly as you can."
But, as the book reminds, a new leader's honeymoon is brief. While some of the advice in this book may seem obvious, the book's first half offers a useful checklist for new managers as they plan their initial and longer-term actions.
Of greater interest is the book's second half, "Voices of Experience." It compiles the thoughts and advice of those who know of what they speak -- the managing partners of leading law firms such as Baker Donelson, Baker & McKenzie, Crowell & Moring, Ice Miller, McCarter & English, Morgan Lewis, Patton Boggs and Ropes & Gray.
The book is earning kudos from legal bloggers. Bruce McEwen at Adam Smith, Esq. calls it "both short, and terrific -- an easy on line read in one sitting." Ernest Svenson at Ernie the Attorney says McKenna offers "useful observations about law firm management." David Maister relates that even clients outside the legal profession "agreed that it's incredibly useful and well-written."
Posted by Robert J. Ambrogi on August 14, 2006 at 05:04 PM | Permalink
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