Axios recently reported on the state of loneliness in the US. Included were some astounding stats. A Harvard study found that 1 in 3 Americans feel “serious loneliness”–including 61% of younger people and over 50% of mothers with young kids. It cites a recent CDC survey in which 63% of young adults were found to
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The Challenges of Professional Conduct Rules
Let’s take a look at Professional Rules of Conduct with respect to discrimination and harassment with an eye on emotional intelligence. First, a short historical review of relevant rules is in order.
On February 5, 2018, Resolution 302 was adopted unanimously by the American Bar Association expanding existing provisions in the Model Rules of Professional…
The Unloved Profession
While lawyers have enjoyed the high esteem of community members in the distant past, that glow has almost completely faded. In a couple of recent surveys, the depths to which we have sunk have become pretty clear. One survey of those workers “least trusted” by the public placed lawyers at #5, only squeaking ahead of…
“The C-Suite Skills That Matter Most”
In a first study of its kind, researchers analyzing nearly 5,000 job descriptions placed between 2000 and 2017 in help-wanted ads for CEOs, as well as the other big C’s, found a 27% increase in social skills requirements, while the emphasis on hard skills, like financial management, declined by 38%. The most wanted soft skills…
The Silent Epidemic
A recent survey of legal practitioners of all stripes continues to paint a disturbing picture of the mental health of our industry. The Liquid Legal Institute’s The Silent Epidemic: Well-Being and Personal Health of Legal Professionals in Times of Digital Transformation and Social Change updates earlier studies, such as the 2016 Hazelden ABA report–garnered…
The Dark Side of Empathy
Having empathy is a critical part of emotional intelligence. First, if you can “feel” another’s feelings, you have more information than if you can’t, and you are more likely to respond to them and their situation in a constructive, even compassionate way.
Many suggest that seeing the personal pain that Covid caused has prompted a…
The “Broken Windows” Approach to Culture
This past week, NYC Mayor Adams announced a return to a policing effort referred to as “broken windows.” In the early 1980s, that phrase was introduced by social psychologists and criminologists as a way to enhance livability and reduce major crimes. The premise is:
“If a window in a building is broken and left unrepaired,…
New Technology and Old for Managing Stress
Ten years ago there was talk of the need for an innovative product that could tell people when their stress level became high. One suggestion was for a computer mouse to be equipped to recognize stress and trigger a high-stress signal. That delivery vehicle seemed particularly promising to help lawyers–stress is a common problem that…
Innovation in Law
If you looked at the title of this post with some skepticism, that’s understandable. Law is not a profession known for its innovation. Although maybe that’s starting to change. Jordan Furlong points out that the practice in business of setting up “regulatory-free sandboxes”–where organizations can try out different products or approaches that might otherwise…
Law Day 30% Book Discount!
May 1 is Law Day and ABA Publishing is celebrating this special day by offering a promotion of 30% off on all books and e-books today through Monday, May 3, 2021. The discount code for this sale is LAWDAY2021. Now is your chance to get Beyond Smart: Lawyering with Emotional Intelligence at a substantial…