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

Soft-Skills TrainingWHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY

Define Soft Skills

Who, What, When, Where and Why

Obstacles

1

2

3

Soft-Skills Agenda

4 How to Start

Wiki DefinesWiki 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.

Wiki Definition continuedLegal Reference• It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may

be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.(Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers)

IT Reference• Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that

when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient).

• (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals)

Legal Reference• It has been suggested that in a number of professions soft skills may

be more important over the long term than occupational skills. The legal profession is one example where the ability to deal with people effectively and politely, more than their mere occupational skills, can determine the professional success of a lawyer.(Giuseppe Giusti, Soft Skills for Lawyers)

IT Reference• Increasingly, over the last two decades, it has been recognized that

when IT Professionals acquire soft skills, better relationships are built between IT and the other business units within the enterprise, fostering alignment. A key element of IT Professionals building these relationships is their ability to communicate, it has been suggested that communication is a measurable and improvable type of intelligence, "CQ" (Communication Quotient).

• (Robert Service, CQ: the Communication Quotient for IS professionals)

www.wordle.net

Sample Exercise• 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:

Back-2-Back Drawing • 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 WHYcan benefit? types are

effective?is an effective time to offer?

are valuable resources?

offer these courses?

Soft-Skills Training

HOWto incorporate some soft skills training at your firm?

WHO can benefit?

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

EVERYONE

WHAT types are effective?• Seminars/Workshops

– Practice Groups– Client Teams– General Group Session

• Online• Informal Meetings• Retreats

WHEN is an effective time to offer?

• Relevant• Consistent• Part of Overall Firm Goals

and Objectives

WHERE are good resources?• Firm Personnel• Local Companies• Customized Courses• Online Courses/Videos• Books• Web• ILTA !!!

See Resource document for additional information on the above resources.

WHY offer these courses?• 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 WHYWHY this

never seems to happen!

HOW to get started?

Obstacles

• 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

Overcoming Obstacles

• Focus on CollaborationCollaboration

• Utilize the expertise of the various people withinthe firm

• Draft an outline and getthe approval of management

• Focus on CollaborationCollaborationMove toward training and education that is Strategic

Collaboration

Human ResourcesAssistantsStaff

Info. TechnologyLitigation Support

Legal Support Services

AttorneysParalegalsPractice Group

Management

Assessment

Library Resources

Project ManagementWord Processing

ChangeManagement

Team BuildingTime

Management

Critical Thinking

How do weDo this?

...but...

HOWto put together a Soft Skills program

Six month plan Main focus on

CollaborationCollaborationTraining that is StrategicStrategic

Resources Guide upload with PowerPoint

Firm training

HOW?

General IntranetGeneral Intranet

WHATtype?

TipsVideos

Change ManagementChange ManagementGroup Meeting

Online Course

WHENbest time?

WeeklyMonthly

Dale CarnegieDale Carnegie

WHEREresources?

5th month Local EAP(Employee Assisted Program)

Velsoft Online Training

Staff training

HOW?

Team Building

WHATtype?

Small Seminarswith various groups Accounting, Business Development, Human Resources, IS Department

WHENbest time?

1st MonthOne group per month

VelsoftMind Tool Exercises

WHEREresources?

Members from previous group help with next group.

Assistant training

Book Review

WHATtype?

Who Moved My Cheese

Team BuildingOnline Course

WHENbest time?

2nd Month Group DiscussionWiki (Remote Offices)

WHEREresources?

4th month

HOW?

Choose several people to help with next session.

VelsoftMind Tool Exercises

Attorney training

Public Speaking

WHATtype?

Toast Masters

Team BuildingTeam BuildingExercise

Online Course

WHENbest time?

Based on Interest(New Associates)

Toast Masters

WHEREresources?

3rd MonthPractice Groups

HOW?

Mind Tool Exercises(Request 15 minutes)

Velsoft

Depending on interest ask an attorney to speak on future topics.

Future look at potential programs

HOW?

• Associate Boot Camp• Attorney Mentoring Program

– Communication Skills– Listening– Time Management

• Assistant Mentoring/Team Program • Certificate Program for Staff Training

Individual SessionsOur focus has been on the attorneys

HOW?

• 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”

Individual SessionsOur focus has been on the attorneys

HOW?

• 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

Under Our Umbrella

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

Thanks!

GO!