Firms Urged to Consider Peer-to-Peer Coaching

Law firms may not be able to afford personal coaches for all of their lawyers, but they should consider an alternative: peer-to-peer coaching.

Susan Letterman White, described as a “strategy consultant” for law firms, writes in the Legal Intelligencer that peer-to-peer coaching can help associates learn about their strengths and weaknesses, fill in gaps in knowledge, make sense of problems, and garner emotional support.

Associates participating in a peer-to-peer coaching program choose the partners they believe will be most beneficial after learning about each other's skills, experience, goals and styles of learning, White says.

Law firms should train peers in coaching skills such as empathetic listening, building motivation and setting goals, according to the article. Firms can connect the peer-to-peer program with their own goals and programs for things such as leadership and business development.

“Thus, coaching is a key means by which law firms enhance their effectiveness and competitive position while developing individual and valuable skills for the lawyer,” White says.