Love is in the air

CILEx CEO Mandie Lavin writes:

Once the haze of Christmas and the mist of the New Year have dissipated, we have the joy of February - the month of love - to brighten our spirits. February is a month in which we can talk about our emotions, tell those around us that we love them and find a table in a cosy corner to share magical moments.

Speaking of magical moments, I recently went along to a friend’s retirement party. He spoke warmly about his colleagues, and highlighted the many significant achievements of his career, but finished by explaining how relieved he was to be leaving a job that had ceased to be fulfilling decades ago and how he had, in recent years, focused on preparing his team for his departure and delegated all of his work. He had reached a point where he was no longer needed, and the combination of his experience, training and mentorship had developed others, who he felt were now more able to do the job than he was. He made some very brave comments, and acknowledged that not everyone feels that they can handle the transition to retirement in this way. His speech was thought-provoking , and it made me think about the importance of how we spend our time at work; what motivates us to do our best; and what we say to others about what we do.

While I was circulating and catching up with old friends, I was talking about my role at CILEx and just how much I loved it. The assembled throng seemed surprised, and proceeded to complain about the daily humdrum and grind of their working lives, telling stories of incompetent management, financial failure and lack of leadership across a range of professional settings.

I was quite amazed at the lack of organisational loyalty and the absence of personal responsibility I was witnessing. I am not suggesting that we submerge ourselves in emoticons, platitudes and self-serving success statements, but if things aren’t going according to plan, we have the power to change them.

In the last year, I have met many of our members and, without exception, they have all spoken with enthusiasm and delight about what they do. They have also talked about their career pathways, and how they have encouraged others to follow them. Of course, as a lawyer you often find yourself having to do tough things, sometimes providing a service to a client that you don’t like or believe in: that is what makes us professionals. If you truly don’t enjoy what you are doing, a diÿcult job becomes even more of a challenge.

I have encountered work colleagues who are always happy and see the positive aspects of their work; they have generally been healthier and more productive and been splendid leaders. So, next time you are asked about your work, have a think about how your attitude and response can impact on others, and see if you can find the things to love about what you do.

FAQ

Question: What is a certificate of good standing?

Answer: A Chartered Legal Executive who wants to become a manager of a Recognised Body or Alternative Business Structure will need to obtain a certificate of good standing. This can be obtained by written request, on the firm’s headed paper, to the CILEx membership department. Before the certificate is granted, CILEx will consider any disciplinary action against the Fellow.

The certificate will give the current managers of the firm confirmation that the Fellow is authorised to practise, and that they are not subject to any conditions that would preclude them from becoming a manager. The current management of the firm would be responsible for obtaining this information to satisfy the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.