295: Deb Feder, a Business Attorney Now Helps Professionals Grow Their Businesses
Nov 12, 2024
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Deb Feder, a former business attorney turned coach, shares insights into her journey from law to coaching professionals. She discusses the challenges of a low-tech legal environment and the evolution of legal practices. Deb offers valuable tips on email efficiency, time management, and building authentic client relationships. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, boundary setting, and the power of personal communication over digital methods. Listeners will also hear about her favorite books and the significance of genuine connections in business.
Deb Feder's transition from business law to coaching emphasizes the importance of adapting to modern challenges in the legal profession.
Effective email communication and time management techniques are crucial for legal professionals to maximize their productivity and client engagement.
Mindfulness practices and boundary setting are essential for lawyers to maintain mental clarity and prevent burnout in high-pressure environments.
Deep dives
Leveraging the 80-20 Principle
The 80-20 principle emphasizes the importance of focusing on the 20% of actions that yield 80% of results, especially in legal practices. By identifying high-impact tasks, attorneys can work less while maximizing returns in their practice. Implementing automation and outsourcing can streamline operations, allowing lawyers to concentrate on core responsibilities and client relationships without becoming overwhelmed. This principle advocates for efficiency, encouraging attorneys to prioritize activities that directly contribute to their success.
Transitioning from Law Practice to Coaching
Deb Fetter transitioned from practicing business law to coaching professionals, including lawyers, to enhance their successes. Her journey began after acknowledging the challenges of balancing a demanding law career with family responsibilities, which inspired her to seek more efficient practices within the legal field. Fetter emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration over competition, illustrating how sharing best practices can lead to collective growth in the profession. She now utilizes her extensive experience to provide coaching that helps legal professionals navigate modern challenges.
The Evolution of Legal Technology
Fetter reflects on her early legal career during a time when technology was not as integral as it is today. The shift towards digital tools has transformed the legal industry, making operations more efficient but also creating challenges for client engagement. As technology progresses, lawyers are challenged to adapt their communication approaches, particularly in maintaining client rapport and understanding their needs effectively. Fetter encourages constant adaptation and learning to stay relevant in an evolving professional landscape.
Effective Communication and Client Relationships
Fetter highlights the significance of strategic questioning in fostering meaningful conversations with clients. For lawyers, mastering the art of asking the right questions can lead to deeper insights and better understanding of client needs. She posits that rather than burdening clients with excessive information, it is more effective to communicate concisely and clearly, thereby establishing trust and rapport. Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn strategically can enhance networking opportunities, allowing attorneys to connect authentically with their target audience.
The Importance of Mindfulness and Boundaries
Establishing mindfulness practices and setting clear boundaries are essential for success in a demanding legal environment. Fetter advocates for simple mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing, to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress during busy workdays. By setting solid boundaries based on personal values, lawyers can present a strong foundation for both their professional and personal lives. This approach not only alleviates burnout but fosters healthier relationships with clients and colleagues, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling practice.
In this episode Deb Feder shares her transition from business lawyer to a coaching business for business professionals. You'll hear about her early career trials, favorite book picks, and how technology has changed the legal profession. She'll also share her great advice on email efficiency, time management, client rapport, boundary setting, and using LinkedIn for business development.
In this episode, you will hear:
Deb Feder's transition from business law to coaching business owners, including lawyers
Insights into refining email communication and mastering time management
The challenges and opportunities of practicing law in the pre-tech era of 1999
Importance of authenticity and building genuine client relationships
Mindfulness practices and setting boundaries for personal and professional success
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Episode Credits
If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.
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