Special THANKS to Velsoft for creating this introduction video.
To view a similar video as well as download a free soft-skills course, go to www.softskillsforlawfirms.com

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

1
Define Soft Skills
2
Who, What, When, Where and Why
3
Obstacles
4
How to Start

Wiki Basic Definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_skills
• A sociological term relating to a person's "EQ"
(Emotional Intelligence Quotient), the cluster of personality traits, social graces, communication, language, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism that characterize relationships with other people. Soft skills complement hard skills.
• Also know as behavioral competencies, interpersonal skills or people skills.

• • It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.
.
• • Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that
• • (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals)

www.wordle.net

• Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 1
– Experience receiving direction without non-verbal cues.
– Communication
– Collaboration
• Back-2-Back Drawing – Round 2
– Person is allowed to ask yes/no question
How does your drawing look?

Other Potential Drawings:

• Debrief
– What was it like to give directions?
– What was it like to receive directions without being allowed to ask questions?
– Why do you think the pictures in the room are so different?
– Do you think the people receive or perceive the same instructions the same?
– What’s stopping you from asking questions?
– Do you know your teammates well enough to communication effectively?

WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY can benefit?
types are is an effective are valuable offer these effective?
time to offer?
resources?
courses?
to incorporate some soft skills training at your firm?

• Staff
• Assistants
• Paralegals
• Attorneys
• Clients
• YOU

• Seminars/Workshops
– Practice Groups
– Client Teams
– General Group Session
• Online
• Informal Meetings
• Retreats

• Relevant
• Consistent
• Part of Overall Firm Goals and Objectives

• Firm Personnel
• Local Companies
• Customized Courses
• Online Courses/Videos
• Books
• Web
• ILTA !!!
See Resource document for additional information on the above resources.

• Employee
– Provide an environment that fosters growth
(personally and professionally)
– Best Employees want to get better and weaker need opportunities to get better.
• Supervisors/Managers
– Increased job satisfaction and morale
– Reduced turnover
– Increased capacity to adopt new technologies and methods
• Firm
– Increased efficiencies in processes, resulting in financial gain.
– Enhanced company image
– Increase the goal of achieving company goals and objectives

• Who to start with?
• What should we start with?
• Where am I going to find time?
• When is best time?
• Now we understand
this never seems to happen!

• No centralized training department
• Core competencies have not been clearly defined
• Absence of leadership and direction has results in lack of focus and continuity
• Lack of time and resources
“Developing Effective Client Service Teams: A Whole New Approach”
Peer to Peer Magazine, Professional Development Issue, August 2005 by Theresa Lundquist, Perfect Access Speer

• Focus on Collaboration
• Utilize the expertise of the various people within the firm
• Draft an outline and get the approval of management
• Focus on Collaboration
Move toward training and education that is Strategic

Human Resources
Assistants
Staff
Info. Technology
Litigation Support
Legal Support Services
Change
Management
Team Building
Time Management
Critical Thinking
Attorneys
Paralegals
Practice Group
Management
Library
Resources
Word Processing

...but...

to put together a Soft Skills program
Six month plan
Main focus on Collaboration
Training that is Strategic

Resources Guide upload with
PowerPoint

HOW?
training
WHAT type?
WHEN best time?
General Intranet
Tips
Videos
Weekly
Monthly
Change Management
Group Meeting 5 th month
Online Course
WHERE resources?
Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie
Local EAP
(Employee Assisted Program)
Velsoft Online Training

HOW?
training
WHAT type?
WHEN best time?
Team Building
Small Seminars with various groups
Accounting, Business
Development, Human
Resources, IS Department
1 st Month
One group per month
WHERE resources?
Velsoft
Mind Tool Exercises
Members from previous group help with next group.

HOW?
training
WHAT type?
WHEN best time?
WHERE resources?
Book Review
Who Moved
My Cheese
2 nd Month Group Discussion
Wiki (Remote Offices)
Choose several people to help with next session.
Team Building
Online
Course
4 th month Velsoft
Mind Tool Exercises

HOW?
training
WHAT type?
WHEN best time?
Public Speaking
Toast Masters Based on Interest
(New Associates)
WHERE resources?
Toast Masters
Team Building
Exercise
Online Course
3 rd Month
Practice Groups
Mind Tool Exercises
(Request 15 minutes)
Velsoft
Depending on interest ask an attorney to speak on future topics.

HOW?
look at potential programs
• Associate Boot Camp
• Attorney Mentoring Program
– Communication Skills
– Listening
– Time Management
• Assistant Mentoring/Team Program
• Certificate Program for Staff Training

HOW?
Our focus has been on the attorneys
• Associate Boot Camp
– Organization
– Time Management
– Working with Your Assistant
(Courtesy, Respect, Communication, Team Building)
• Attorney Mentoring Program
– Communication Skills
– Listening
– Time Management
– Commercials - Movies
– Seven Steps to Getting a “Date”

HOW?
Our focus has been on the attorneys
• Various Attorney Lead Presentations
– Generation: Can’t We All Just Get Along
– One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey
– Lessons from an Irate In-House Counsel
– Fixed Fees: Historical look at Law Firms
– Commercials - Movies
– Seven Steps to Getting a “Date”
– Social Media Sessions

• Get Started!
• Keep an Eye on the Future…
• Don’t make it Hard!
• Build Team Work!!

GO!