The 8 Characteristics of Successful GCs and CLOs

Corporate Counsel publish findings from the Russell Reynolds Associates study, Becoming the Calm Risk Taker: Attributes for Success in Today’s New Legal Environment, and ask Cynthia Dow how legal executives can apply the recommendations to their careers.

The firm identified eight characteristics exhibited by successful legal executives:

1. Socially Bold
2. Persuasive
3. Socially Confident
4. Competitive
5. Achieving
6. Decisive
7. Not Easily Excited
8. Mischievous

Cynthia Dow, a member of RRA’s legal, government, and regulatory affairs practice, says that chief legal officers demonstrate, on average, the same competencies as their counterparts in other executive positions.

Of the top legal officers, the most successful ones showed low “excitability,” staying calm in a crisis and bringing level-headedness to the conversation when those around them may be losing their composure.

Dow was surprised to see that the most successful legal executives exhibit high levels of what the firm deems “mischievousness.” She says that the best GCs and CLOs “know how to help the business take risks.”

Read the full article on Law.com and access the report, Becoming the Calm Risk Taker: Attributes for Success in Today’s New Legal Environment.