It happens quite a bit, a cappella that is. On America’s Got Talent, in front of an audience of, oh, 3 million people, Simon Cowell stops the music and tells the singer to lose the soundtrack. And the performer has to dig deep to find the inner fortitude to take what appears to be criticism and keep going. Cowell knows exactly what he’s asking. Many people are exceedingly talented; few actually succeed on talent alone. If you can sing a cappella with your knees knocking and cold sweat pooling, you might just have what it takes to be a star.
In the beginning, legal project management can be a lot like singing a cappella. It may not be what you expected but it’s what you got: an important job to do on a stage all by yourself. Think you’ll get resources like people, technology, time and partner engagement? How precious…you must be new here.
As an LPM leader, you are called upon to demonstrate at minimum:
- Courage without full empowerment;
- Resilience to keep going without a clear mandate; and the
- Patience to wait while everyone else catches up to your vision.
That’s just on Monday.
Legal Project Manager? You’ve Got Talent
Although LPM can feel as lonely as a cappella singing, that’s not the intention. As a legal project manager, you will undoubtedly have a few a cappella gigs. Realize, however, that these are golden opportunities. Don’t believe it? Following are the benefits no one’s told you about.
You get to overcome unexpected challenges.
When a contestant on America’s Got Talent belts out a song without background music, there is a palpable shift in the way the judges see them. They are no longer another wannabe singer that can (mostly) carry a tune if the music is loud enough. They are star material.
As an LPM professional, you, too, can have these magical defining moments. In order to do this, you’ll need several dress rehearsals with your inner circle who will play devil’s advocate and give you honest feedback. Allow the people at your table to help you:
- Identify potential issues;
- Devise strategies to deal with them;
- Be flexible enough to sing in a whole new key.
The end-goal is to be exceedingly clear in your convictions and what you bring to the party. This clarity helps you stay in tune even when there is no music. Now you can more effectively communicate value and build credibility as a leader.
You get to respond to seemingly impossible demands.
Simon Cowell may seem cruel. But the reality is that he would not waste his time or push a performer to sing without backup if he didn’t believe in their ability to deliver. No matter how harsh it may seem, the reality is that the singer has practiced that debut song hundreds of times using only the soundtrack in their minds. It’s the opportunity they didn’t know they wanted.
Your turn. As an LPM professional, recognize unreasonable demands as just that: a golden opportunity. Even though you may not like the terms, the payback will be worth it. You may be full of doubt on the inside but here’s your chance to demonstrate confidence on the outside.
You will be cool under pressure when you have done the work required to analyze your audience and what they value. That’s the soundtrack playing in your head. Listen to it. Signal strength — and gain respect — through your modulated and thoughtful responses under pressure.
You get to turn pushback into alignment.
No one cares about the outcome unless it actually matters to them. Pushback is a clear signal that there is leverage. Indifferent lawyers will never give you enough information to bring them on board. Those who push back will let you know what they need. Pushback doesn’t mean that alignment can’t occur. It does mean, however, that you have more work to do. Just do not make the assumption that people are on board because You Took a Vote.
Take a page from the Crucial Conversations playbook. When you encounter — and actively seek out — resistance, validate the concerns. Then find an area of agreement. One of the most ubiquitous goals in every law practice is to minimize nasty surprises. But you decide what matters most. Pick the area of alignment that resonates given the nature of the resistance and your audience. Then demonstrate your ability to do what it takes to turn discord into harmony. Repeat as needed because resistance can appear to be resolved one day and return the next. (See above; You Took a Vote)
Embrace the vulnerability.
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable can feel like stepping out on stage in front of people whose only job is to gleefully cut you down. Of course, that’s hyperbole…and America’s Got Talent. You did your due diligence, you came prepared and you know that LPM works. You’re not stepping into a void. Even still, when the expected background singers don’t show up, you can feel fully exposed.
Vulnerability is never fun. Here’s the thing, though. The end results are worth the pain. Once you start to deliver, the energy will shift and you’ll find the support you need. It’s human nature to align with winners. (Unless you’re a Chicago Cubs fan.)
Don’t Allow A Cappella to be Your LPM Goal
Legal project management will present you with a few chances to sing a cappella. It’s a bit of a paradox; you need support to succeed, yet you can’t gain support until you demonstrate something that looks like success. Fair enough. That’s life. Being told to sing a cappella is not defeat. It’s feedback.
Congratulations! Just don’t stop there. Go for the unmistakable sound of the golden buzzer and the confetti raining down on your head. Have patience; it will happen. Meanwhile, seize the opportunity to exercise leadership and build your coalition. Use the time to gain some early wins and a little toe-tapping from the judges. Remember that the goal is not to excel as a solo performer. It’s up to you to create a system and a culture where singing a cappella isn’t the default.
You’ll know when it happens. Maybe you’ll get a formal-ish mandate, a sly nod of approval or even a couple of backup musicians. But for now, just open your mouth and start singing. The chorus will join you soon.
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