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Proactive v reactive: Getting the balance right as a firm owner
In times of economic turbulence, firm owners must navigate the critical decision of adopting either a proactive or reactive approach to practice management. Here, Lauren Cassimatis provides valuable insights into this debate by drawing from her own experience.
Grace Robbie
In a recent episode of The Boutique Lawyer Show, Lauren Cassimatis, the founder and principal of Gallant Law, offers her insights on whether firm owners should adopt a proactive or reactive approach in response to developments within the legal environment.
Cassimatis elaborated on her preference for being proactive, underscoring how this deliberate approach enables her to engage in strategic planning and leverage her creative thinking to maintain a competitive edge.
“I like to be proactive. I always like to forward-plan, and I’ve got a bit of a creative brain, so I am always thinking about how I can be one step ahead,” she said.
However, Cassimatis underscored the inevitability of unforeseeable events influenced by external factors, emphasising the inherent challenges of circumstances beyond immediate control.
“There are some things that can’t be helped. There are external forces at play. As we saw with COVID, no one ever expected that would happen. No one could have planned for it,” she said.
“There are aspects you might get hit with as a curveball you’d never seen coming. So how do you deal with it?”
Reflecting on the unforeseen challenges that can arise, Cassimatis highlighted how these obsoletes can be demoralising and overwhelming for law firm owners, with these persistent stresses prompting questions about the overall value of their business.
“It can be demoralising and deflating. There are times when you wonder whether it’s all worth it because being a law firm owner is incredibly stressful and very, very busy.
“You think about all these challenges and all these multiple hats I have to wear. Is it really worth it, or am I better off just being an employee? What am I actually doing this for?” she said.
To effectively navigate these unforeseen challenges, Cassimatis emphasised the importance of firm owners maintaining high levels of motivation and self-confidence, enabling them to sustain proactive strategies.
“With the right motivation and right belief in yourself and what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. You can stay on top of it,” she said.
Despite Cassimatis’s proactive approach to managing her law firm, she emphasised the inevitability of unforeseen challenges. She stressed the importance of addressing unexpected and difficult situations head-on, stressing the need for agility and strategic decision making to uphold business resilience.
“But you do, you have to change your mindset sometimes. You have to go with the trends, you have to go with the people, people’s attitudes and expectations, and just be prepared for the worst,” she said.
