3 mindset changes that will transform your leadership
When we think about leadership, we often focus on skills, strategy, and visibility. But as last week’s Female Lawyers’ Club masterclass reminded us, one of the biggest obstacles to stepping into leadership isn’t external at all - it’s our own mindset.
Our guest speaker, Annabella Zeiddar, a transformational coach and former lawyer, shared three powerful mindset changes that can change the way you show up and lead.
It’s Not Too Late. You’re Not Too Old.
I heard a brilliant news story this week.
A 97-year-old woman in Belfast has just become the oldest person in Europe to complete 250 parkruns. And here’s the best bit: she only started running when she was 88. AND she’d had heart surgery just 4 weeks earlier! What a legend.
She’s proof of something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: it’s not too late, and you’re not too old.
Stop Waiting Until You're "Ready"
Have you ever talked yourself out of applying for a job, going for a promotion, or leading a big project… because you didn’t meet every single requirement?
If so, you’re not alone.
Research published in Harvard Business Review found that women tend to apply for roles only when they meet 100% of the listed criteria. Men, on the other hand, are happy to go for it when they meet just 60%.
And I see this all the time amongst female lawyers.
What’s Really Holding Women Back in Law?
Why do so many talented women feel they don’t belong in leadership – or end up stepping away from the legal profession altogether?
That’s the question Claire Rason – former corporate lawyer and founder of coaching consultancy Client Talk – found herself wrestling with years after leaving her role as a solicitor. Sparked by personal reflection, coaching conversations, and a quiet “what if?” Claire began a ground-breaking project to explore whether she would have made partner had she stayed in law.
Why You Don’t Need to Act Like a Man to Succeed in Law
For decades, the legal profession has rewarded traditionally masculine traits—aggression in negotiations, dominance in meetings, and a reluctance to show vulnerability. Many female lawyers feel pressure to adopt these behaviours to be taken seriously and advance in their careers. But the idea that you have to act like a man to succeed in law is outdated—and, frankly, incorrect.