Time Management
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Cautiously Optimistic
July 15, 2009
Early this week, I met with one of my law firm client contacts, who reported that she is “cautiously optimistic” that the legal industry has experienced the worst of this recession. Though no one expects, a quick rebound, activity in many key practice areas is plentiful and is expected to further pick-up as client industries rebound.
In conjunction with this pick-up in business, my contact noted a new phenomenon. Associates, many of whom joined the legal industry several years ago, when everyone was moving at break-neck speed, are now experiencing unexpectedly high levels of stress. It’s almost as if the recession gave these lawyers the ability to ratchet back and finally achieve some semblance of work-life balance. My contact noted that now that those associates are again busy, they are having an extremely difficult time ramping back up.
Those of us who have experienced the ebb and flow of previous economic downturns are likely not surprised at the reaction of this firm’s youngest lawyers. We know it is easier to rev up our personal engines and perform at high levels—even for extended periods of time—than it is to shift up and down according to ever changing business needs.
Managers and supervisors should be consciously aware of the strains that will be imposed on employees as the economy begins to improve. Employees will need to reset their personal expectations regarding the amount of time they will need to devote to work. They will also likely need to reset the expectations of the family and friends who have spent more time with them in recent months.
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