Our Associates Lack Common Sense!

Around the country, law firms are collectively lamenting a dearth of what they refer to as “common sense” in their younger attorneys and staff.

This, however, is a misnomer.

What they’re really referring to is a shortage of critical thinking skills, and this tends to be especially apparent along generational lines.

There are many bright and well-educated millennials and gen Z professionals who, through no fault of their own, were never taught the building blocks of analysis or the delivery of well-researched solutions.

Of course, this is a significant shortcoming with consequences to the firm’s bottom line.

Firms may offer training in terms of litigation skills, business development, contract writing, and even leadership, but without a sound foundation of critical thinking ability, those being trained will not be able to fully avail themselves of the skills being taught.

There are 3 reasons for this epidemic:

1) Technology, especially smartphones.

With the literal world at our fingertips, younger generations have not had to do much legwork with regard to research. Instant answers, immediate gratification, and an endless mass of information have both enlightened us and stunted us at the same time.

2) Parenting that underestimates the value of failure as a learning tool.

Simply put, if people are not allowed to fail as children, the fear of failure becomes more daunting as adults. To succeed at work and in life, we must all learn to fail gracefully as it is the best way to learn to succeed.

3) A prescriptive education.

Schools that teach to the test, including high school, undergraduate, and law school, encourage students to follow specific directions to earn a good grade. These experiences end up being all about the grades instead of actual experiential learning, and when graduates find themselves at their first or second job, they are often woefully unprepared for what is expected of them.

But fear not. This is not an impossible situation.

It just means that your law firm cannot expect that every new hire is pre-programmed to hit the ground running. It means that you may have to invest in developing fundamental skills such as critical thinking and effective communication in both your lawyers and your professional staff. 

So, instead of joining in the echoing refrain about the absence of "common sense" among greener ranks, implement an associate training program  designed to support both the skills of your people and the success of your firm. Be sure to get buy-in from firm leadership and implement an effective system of accountability to ensure the realization of a robust ROI from your young lawyer training.

Ready to invest in your people to get them where you need them to be? Let's talk. We've got some great ideas.