What five senior women partners taught me about leadership
When I finished interviewing Alison Eddy for my book chapter, I burst into tears.
Not because she said anything upsetting - quite the opposite.
Alison is the former senior partner at Irwin Mitchell (now the Partner Ambassador for Inclusion at the same firm), and she spoke with such clarity, empathy, and emotional intelligence about her leadership journey that I suddenly realised what I’d been missing throughout my own legal career.
Finding purpose (even when you like your job)
A little while ago, I was chatting with my friend, a member of Female Lawyers Club. She told me that while she quite liked her job as a real estate lawyer, she sometimes wondered whether there was something more out there for her - a bigger sense of purpose or direction.
That feeling really resonated with me, because I think so many of us have moments where we pause and ask: Is this it? Or could there be something else I’m meant to be doing?
What really drives you at work?
Over the past 20 years as an employment lawyer, I’ve (generally!) really enjoyed what I do.
I’ve found it very satisfying helping people solve problems at work, especially when I can make someone’s working life easier or fairer.
Looking back, the times I’ve been happiest in my career have almost always had one thing in common: I’ve felt connected to my clients and proud of the impact I’ve made. Whether it’s obtaining a clarification of the law in a previously untested area or resolving a difficult workplace issue, what mattered most to me was knowing I’ve made a positive difference.