JLAP: We don’t have to do this alone: When you’re not good at it all

Surprisingly to many of us who pride ourselves on being independent and having an intellect above the average bear, most of us are not good at everything we attempt. I recently tried acrylic pour painting for the first time. I hoped for a colorful, Instagram-worthy result with the first pour of paint onto the canvas. Now framed and hung by my spouse, I suspect mostly out of pity, there is a lumpy, vomit-brown “painting” in the walkway into our home.

Although my first reaction is often to quit something I am not immediately good at, I was intrigued by the process and potential results — if I just try enough, I can certainly figure this out. I was not entirely wrong, as I painted canvas after canvas with some success at producing paintings that were not immediately cringeworthy.

However, in the following months, I came to terms with the fact I was not going to be a prodigy in an artform I had never previously attempted. I realized if I was going to continue my newly found artistic endeavor, I would need to look outside my otherwise reliable brain. I took art classes at a local studio, consumed endless information about acrylics and color theory, and talked to people who themselves learned how to create the masterpieces I envisioned.

It turns out that figuring out how to put paint on a canvas in a coherent way is no different than practicing law. Even after years of practicing law, I can learn new skills and navigate previously unexperienced situations — and I do not have to do it alone. In fact, we become better attorneys and create better law firms for ourselves and our colleagues when we collaborate with those around us. When we acknowledge what we bring to the table and allow other people to bring their own skills, ideas and competencies, we create better results for clients and find ourselves less alone in a crowded profession.

There is no shortage of things we can be good at that are essential to the practice — writing well-reasoned briefs, delivering unwanted news in a digestible manner, piecing together facts and arguments to win a seemingly unwinnable argument, managing individuals working toward the ultimate goal, understanding and applying caselaw from an 1848 Indiana Supreme Court opinion that is nearly incomprehensible. If I am honest with myself in a quiet moment, for every one of these things I am good at, there is one that someone around me is better at, and I should not be afraid to rely on that someone.

Many of us only have to look outside our office door or down the hall to find someone with whom we can collaborate to achieve whatever it is we are trying to accomplish. When I first started practicing, I assumed that because I was a licensed attorney, I had to have all the answers to any questions, regardless of whether something was in my practice area or not. As I have gotten to know my colleagues, I realize that when a regular client calls with an employment issue, I need to get my partner involved rather than doing 37 hours of research to answer what turns out to be a routine question for someone with experience.

I have gotten to know the skill sets of the other attorneys in my office through simple conversations. It would be easy enough to get my work done with limited interaction. However, my colleagues are full of information and experiences that add to my practice and greatly benefit the clients for whom I work. I listen to (and tell!) plenty of “war stories” about situations that are entertaining but, more importantly, provide insight into what my colleagues have to offer.

Beyond those down the hall, we can also look to others in the legal community. While other attorneys may at a fundamental level be “competition,” hoarding work better suited for others, taking on work when we are beyond capacity or being unwilling to answer questions when another attorney calls will almost always hurt us more than it will ever hurt them.

Recently, an attorney received a call from a potential client. Once the potential client explained her situation, the attorney, while otherwise beyond qualified to represent her, referred the potential client to an attorney at another firm who would be better suited for the venue in which the likely lawsuit would be filed. The attorney could have taken the case without question and competently represented the client. However, the attorney was able to see the bigger picture — the attorney realized there may be a more effective way for the client to achieve her goals if she worked with another attorney.

You are probably thinking, “Other people are just going to mess it up,” and, “It will be easier if I just do it myself.” No question — I wrestle with these thoughts daily. With a never ending “to-do” list, it can seem like more effort than it is worth to work with other people. However, 30 days, six months or five years down the road, I can often see how involving others allows me to spend more time on work I like and am good at and waste less energy on something someone else is likely better qualified to handle.

We don’t have to do this alone! I realize this is actually a terrifying thought in many ways, but when I build relationships and learn to rely more on people around me to navigate what is a difficult profession, my practice, my firm and my overall well-being are enormously benefited. My colleagues have something to offer. The attorney I met for coffee last week has something to offer. The partner I cannot stand for one more second has something to offer.

My vomit-brown masterpiece is now a daily reminder that apparently I am not good at all things, and working with those around me leads to better results on every level. We don’t have to do this alone.•

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Sarah L. Fowler is a shareholder and attorney at Blackwell Burke & Ramsey P.C. where she represents businesses and individuals in matters related to creditor rights, bankruptcy and financial distress. Opinions expressed are those of the author.