- Read more: 5 Hard Skills for Lawyers to Succeed in 2022
1- Emotional intelligence
Emotions are an essential part of who we are, yet we hardly give them the attention they deserve. Lawyers need the ability to identify and manage their emotions in order to face challenges, as well as to have the courage to seize opportunities. Working on emotional intelligence increases performance in the short term and allows building healthy relationships with colleagues and clients. To achieve this, there are strategies that will help you sharpen this soft skill.
2- Stress management
There is no way to completely eliminate stress from our lives. However, the good news is that it is possible to learn how to manage it. In fact, it’s important to keep in mind that stress is not inherently bad. It actually helps us achieve many things, as it stimulates the brain to increase productivity and concentration. Certainly, every lawyer should give top priority to this soft skill. You can read about stress management strategies here.
3- Complex problem solving
Lawyers are typically expected to have this soft skill well developed. With it, they can develop strategies for cases with a broader perspective. As well, it allows them to try to resolve cases early on and cost-effectively for their clients instead of going to trial. It may be surprising that problem solving is something that can be learned. And that’s because a lot of it has to do with creativity, known to be like a muscle that needs to be exercised. Have a look at this brief interactive case study from MIT and find out what this soft skill is all about.
4- Critical thinking and analysis
Along with the previous soft skill, critical thinking is a must for attorneys, as practicing law requires a lot of judgment. For years, artificial intelligence has been attempting to replicate the way humans think. This will take them some time, to say the least, given that after decades of study the human brain remains a mystery for the most part. So, in a dys/utopian future where most jobs are performed by robots, lawyers still have a chance. You can start learning about the intriguing fields of critical thinking with this article.
5- Active learning and learning strategies
Lastly, we present the foundation for developing the skills mentioned above. Learning should not stop once you set foot outside of law school. The attorneys that are prepared for the future of law are autodidacts. They learn new things on the go, just as the legal industry demands. With this ability, you will know the learning strategies that best suit you. Practicing active learning will not only benefit you, but also the people around you as you effectively share your knowledge with them.
The soft skills for lawyers of the future
Altogether, these soft skills for lawyers of the future will bring out the best in you. If you’re interested in more articles like this one, read our post on hard skills for lawyers. Rossa’s blog is full of useful information for attorneys and law firms.