Every month the 22 lawyers of Coca-Cola in Europe dial in for a conference call. (Every quarter the entire legal staff calls in.). For the monthly calls, according to a supplement in the ACC Docket, June 2010 after 32, “the chair, who sets the agenda for the calls and distributes it in advance, rotates among the participants.” An excellent idea! Have a different direct report responsible for each call or meeting.

Whenever you empower members of the law department to shape and run something, creativity and involvement results. Whether it is the bi-annual offsite, the CLE program, development of a mentoring initiative or something else, people buy into the activity more if they have input into it, and in direct proportion I believe (See my post of Jan. 2, 2009: grass roots knowledge management works better.). When the top imposes a decision, there can be resistance or passivity. When the rank and file pitch in and create what they think will best, there will be more insights and loyalty (See my post of July 18, 2006: men are more command oriented, women more inclusive.).

Every month the 22 lawyers of Coca-Cola in Europe dial in for a conference call. (Every quarter the entire legal staff calls in.). For the monthly calls, according to a supplement in the ACC Docket, June 2010 after 32, “the chair, who sets the agenda for the calls and distributes it in advance, rotates among the participants.” An excellent idea! Have a different direct report responsible for each call or meeting.

Whenever you empower members of the law department to shape and run something, creativity and involvement results. Whether it is the bi-annual offsite, the CLE program, development of a mentoring initiative or something else, people buy into the activity more if they have input into it, and in direct proportion I believe (See my post of Jan. 2, 2009: grass roots knowledge management works better.). When the top imposes a decision, there can be resistance or passivity. When the rank and file pitch in and create what they think will best, there will be more insights and loyalty (See my post of July 18, 2006: men are more command oriented, women more inclusive.).