Legal ops legends Mary O’Carroll, Ironclad’s Chief Community Officer, and Jenn McCarron, Netflix’s Director of Legal Operations and Technology and President of CLOC recently sat down for a wide-ranging discussion on all things legal ops in 2024, from building fulfilling careers and driving incremental revenue to Taylor Swift. Here’s what they had to say.
Key Takeaways
- Just do it. If you’re out there looking for a career change or want to explore moving from a hybrid role to one with one-source responsibility, just start doing it. Don’t wait to ask how you can contribute. Instead, find opportunities to demonstrate an impact on your own time, and when you’re ready, bring it to the people in charge to showcase that you’re already capable of performing–and excelling at– the job you really want.
- Execute with tactical empathy. If someone comes to you with questions or requests, don’t just follow orders. Instead, talk through what they need and why they need it. What’s the real challenge? What’re they really trying to solve? Listen carefully, and you’ll not only solve their problems more efficiently, but you’ll also build gratitude and trust that you can cash in on down the line.
- Fake it ‘til you make it. Counterintuitively, the best way to build confidence in yourself in others’ eyes is to have it, even if it’s just a facade. First, identify a problem they have that you can confidently solve and then solve it, even if it’s somewhat tangential to the real ask.The more you do it, the more confidence they (and you) will have in your ability to execute, and the numbers “on your side” will grow.
- Passion performs. The way to get buy-in for the projects and ideas you’re really excited about and build a strong team culture is to bring your passion to the table. Human psychology says that even if the actual subject matter isn’t really that stimulating, the excitement, after a certain level, is infectious. Your stakeholders will be excited about what you’re excited about simply because they want to feel what you’re feeling. However, don’t go overboard – always know your audience!
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Ironclad is not a law firm, and this post does not constitute or contain legal advice. To evaluate the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability of the ideas and guidance reflected here, or the applicability of these materials to your business, you should consult with a licensed attorney. Use of and access to any of the resources contained within Ironclad’s site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the user and Ironclad.
