SKILLS DEVELOPED BY A STRONG LEADER

Communication
Leaders are only as powerful as the ideas they communicate. Effective communication is one of the most important tools an attorney can have. Communication with Chapter Officers First and foremost, Chapter officers must communicate with each other. Hold officer meetings at least monthly. Invite your Chapter’s Committee Chairs and your Advisors to the meetings.


ORGANIZATION & PLANNING
Upon entering law school, a young first year student was advised by a long-time practicing attorney that the “simple trick” to law school and law practice is organization. Effective leaders are always good organizers. To organize, you must plan ahead. Professors admonish their students to “look at the big picture”. If you focus on the “big picture”, you see how small details fit. The “big picture” for your Chapter is your Calendar of Events. Plan ahead and follow through! How Can Our Chapter Get Organized?

VISION AND CREATIVITY
Without vision, your Chapter will perish. In examining successful leadership, it becomes apparent vision means creating a focus. Officers must create a focus for their Chapter’s members. When focus or direction is clear, it inspires confidence from the membership.

COMMON ERROR:
Officers conduct a general meeting, expecting that members will spring forth with a wealth of ideas and direction for the Chapter. When they do not, the wheels of progress screech to a halt.

SOLUTION:
Never wait for a mandate from the general membership before the officers take action. Members depend on the leadership to provide direction. As a leader, you should be attuned to programming desires of your membership. Ask your members for suggestions, and consider any suggestions that are made. Do not wait for your general membership to create a focus for the Chapter. Creating a focus and direction for your Chapter is the sole responsibility of the Chapter’s officers. Every successful attorney knows alternatives always exist. Think creatively and develop alternatives.

Overcoming The “Our Law School Does Everything” Syndrome
Leaders assess their members’ needs and strive to meet them. Look at the needs of your law school and its student body. Critically analyze each need you identify. Examine what you, as a law student need that you are not getting. Assess which needs are met by other groups; then examine the needs not currently or adequately being met by other organizations. This will let you think about programs your Chapter could pioneer to meet student needs. Visit your Deans or Faculty members. Tell them your dilemma, i.e., “There is nothing for our Chapter to do. We want something to do, but we just can’t find anything.” When the Deans finish laughing, explain what resources your Chapter has in terms of members and finances. You will not leave empty-handed.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Developing good time management skills is an important aspect of your professional development. Time is your most valuable commodity as a law student and as an attorney.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
The old adage, “if you want something done right, do it yourself” is not true for effective leaders. If you find yourself doing all the work and handling all the details of every program in your Chapter, then you are doing something wrong. You may be lacking the ability to delegate.

Successful delegation of authority has three major components:
1. Get things accomplished at the lowest possible level.
2. Assess the talents and areas of interest of each member and delegate tasks accordingly.
3. Check each member’s progress periodically. Delegate, don’t abdicate! Delegation ensures that everyone participates in your programming. This allows future Chapter leaders to emerge and develop a track record for themselves. When you delegate, make sure everyone understands the desired result, the means of achieving this result, and the time frame. People take pride in what they have a stake in achieving.