In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, technical expertise alone is no longer enough to thrive. The ability to lead, influence, and take initiative has become a crucial asset for junior lawyers looking to accelerate their careers. But leadership isn’t just about holding a senior title - it’s about demonstrating key behaviours that encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and professional growth.

At Flex Legal’s first Junior Lawyers Lunch of 2025, hosted in partnership with Sewells, we explored how junior lawyers can develop leadership qualities from the outset of their careers. Titled Leading without a title: A guide for junior lawyers, the session provided valuable insights into how emerging legal professionals can take ownership of their development, build credibility, and make a lasting impact in their workplaces.

Why leadership matters for junior lawyers

Leadership skills are fundamental in shaping a successful legal career. They enable junior lawyers to:

• Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively.
• Influence others and solve problems creatively.
• Establish professional credibility and trust.
• Navigate complex situations with confidence.

By actively developing these skills early on, junior lawyers can set themselves apart and create more opportunities for professional advancement.

Key leadership characteristics

Positive attitude and mindset

Do you light up a room when you walk in or walk out?

A leader's attitude is a chosen response to circumstances. While we can't always control situations, we can control how we respond to them. This involves being resilient, solution-focused, and maintaining a growth mindset even when facing challenges.

Practical steps to develop a positive mindset:

• Reflect on your own self talk and reframe how you think about things.
• Consider 2 or 3 successes/wins at the end of each day.
• Where possible maintain a healthy lifestyle – physical wellbeing is linked to mental wellbeing.
• Use positive affirmations “I am capable of…”
• Reduce exposure to negative influence, media, environments … other people!
• Spend time with those who demonstrate realistic optimism.
• Work on having a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset.

Proactivity not reactivity

Leadership means taking initiative rather than waiting for permission. While junior lawyers need guidance in certain areas, there are always opportunities to be proactive - whether it's volunteering for projects, seeking learning opportunities, or taking responsibility for your professional development.

• Stay informed and share information with others.
• Take control of your own development and put it into practice.
• Don’t wait for permission.
• Anticipate needs ahead of time.
• Offer solutions rather than waiting for problems to escalate.
• Build relationships that will support your future growth.

Effective Communication

Strong communication skills are fundamental to leadership. This goes beyond legal expertise to include:

• Asking insightful questions.
• Showing genuine interest in others.
• Active listening.
• Giving and receiving constructive feedback – asking for the feedback you don’t want.
• Building meaningful professional relationships.
• Consider how you can develop your coaching skills approach (a great leadership trait).

Accountability

Use the Accountability ladder to assess a situation that didn’t go well (see additional resource on the accountability ladder below).

A useful tool: The Accountability Ladder helps assess where your response to challenges fall - are you operating below the line (blaming others, making excuses) or above the line (owning your actions, seeking solutions)? By shifting towards accountability, junior lawyers can enhance their leadership capabilities.

Teamwork

Leadership isn't about individual success - it's about contributing to collective achievement. This involves:

• Collaboratively problem-solving to find solutions.
• Supporting colleagues when they need help.
• Contributing positively to team dynamics.
• Sharing knowledge and resources.
• Being willing to ask for help when needed.
• Share mistakes and insights to help others.

Developing your leadership skills

1. Choose one leadership attribute to focus on and commit to daily or weekly practice.
2. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors.
3. Be more curious and engaged in meetings.
4. Take initiative on projects within your scope.
5. Practice self-reflection and regularly assess your growth.

Key takeaway

Remember: You don't need a title to be a leader. Every day presents opportunities to demonstrate leadership through small actions - whether asking thoughtful questions, supporting team members, or taking initiative on projects. These consistent, small actions build the foundation for strong leadership skills that will serve you throughout your career.

About Sewells

For more insights on leadership and professional development, visit their website: www.sewells.com.

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The Accountability Ladder: A guide for junior lawyers

The Accountability Ladder is a powerful model that illustrates the journey from victim behaviours to leadership accountability. Understanding where you are on this ladder can help you develop stronger leadership skills and take more control of your professional development.

Below the line (victim behaviours):

• Blaming others – Shifting responsibility to clients, colleagues, or circumstances.
• Making excuses – Justifying inaction or mistakes without seeking improvement.
• "I can’t" mindset – Viewing challenges as insurmountable due to a lack of skills or support.
• Waiting and hoping – Avoiding taking action and expecting problems to resolve themselves.

The Turning Point

This crucial transition marks the shift from victim behaviours to leadership behaviours. It's where we begin to operate in a sphere of influence rather than a sphere of concern.

Above the line (leadership behaviours):

• Acknowledging reality – Recognising issues and accepting responsibility.
• Owning it – Taking accountability and committing to improvement.
• Finding solutions – Seeking constructive ways to address challenges.
• Making it happen – Taking decisive action and following through.

Practical application for junior lawyers

To apply this model in your legal career:

• Self-reflection: Regularly assess where your responses fall on the ladder.
• Situation analysis: When facing challenges, consciously move your response up the ladder.
• Professional development: Use the ladder as a framework for growing your leadership skills.
• Team dynamics: Help create a culture of accountability by modelling "above the line" behaviours.

By consistently operating above the line, junior lawyers can build a reputation as proactive and reliable professionals, setting the foundation for future leadership roles.

Key takeaway

The most effective leaders consistently operate above the line, taking ownership of situations regardless of their formal position or title. By understanding and applying the Accountability Ladder, junior lawyers can demonstrate leadership qualities early in their careers, building a foundation for long-term professional success.

Leadership self-assessment tool: Using spider charts for development

For those looking to assess their current leadership strengths, the Spider Chart is a simple yet powerful self-assessment tool. It helps visualise personal strengths and areas for development across five key leadership attributes:

1. Mindset and Attitude
2. Proactivity
3. Communication
4. Accountability
5. Teamwork

How to conduct your self-assessment

• Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 for each attribute.
• Connect the points to create a visual representation of your leadership profile.
• Identify areas for growth and set actionable goals for improvement.
• Seek external feedback from colleagues or mentors for additional perspective.
• Reassess periodically to track progress and development.

Leadership is not about waiting for a promotion or a formal title - it’s about how you show up, take initiative, and influence those around you. By adopting a proactive mindset, communicating effectively, and taking ownership of your professional development, you can demonstrate leadership from day one.

Every interaction, every challenge, and every opportunity is a chance to refine your leadership skills. Start small, stay consistent, and embrace the journey.