Intro

The host reflects on the warm reception of their book and shares impactful testimonials, notably one from a recurring guest. They emphasize the importance of quality content in their podcast and express excitement for the fresh perspectives brought by a new guest in the legal industry.

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Viki Johnston discuss:

Navigating the transition from individual contributor to effective leader
Developing communication skills that foster trust and clarity
Understanding how mindset and self-awareness shape professional success
Using behavioral tools to improve collaboration and team dynamics

Key Takeaways:

Role-playing in training helps managers safely practice difficult conversations, allowing them to fail, debrief, and improve without real-world consequences.
Poor listening is a critical leadership flaw; most people are merely waiting to talk instead of truly hearing others, especially in virtual settings.
Paraphrasing not only shows active listening but also gives the speaker space to correct misunderstandings, reducing conflict and enhancing clarity.
Undervaluing your services, often due to internal narratives or low self-worth, can hurt both your business and client relationships—a lesson learned after undercharging for years.

"We think we can multitask. We really can’t. We can’t think and listen to somebody at the same time." — Viki Johnston

Unlock the secrets of the industry's top rainmakers with Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers’ Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice. Grab your ultimate guide to building a thriving law firm now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F78HXJHT

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Ready to grow your law practice without selling or chasing? Book your free 30-minute strategy session now—let's make this your breakout year: https://fretzin.com/

About Viki Johnston: Viki Johnston is an entrepreneur, Training Consultant with over 25 years of her career dedicated to professional training. She designs and delivers soft skills classroom training that is customized to a client’s exact requirements, across a range of subjects. Her in-depth knowledge of Customer Service and Business Management allows Viki to provide an exceptionally high level of learning facilitation and consultancy across a wide range of industries.

Viki is British, a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), DiSC certified, and Certified in Applied Improvisation. She currently lives in Irvine, Southern California, with her husband and daughter. She is a self-confessed lifelong learner with a passion for helping others experience light bulb moments and achieve their own goals.

Connect with Viki Johnston:

Website: https://www.exelorate.com/

Email: viki@exelorate.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikijohnston/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vikiajohnston

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exelorate2015/

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com