Speaker training and communication skills

Communication Skills for Lawyers: Raising the Bar

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”  George Bernard Shaw

The ability to communicate well is arguably the skill set lawyers neglect the most. In fact, many don’t think of it as a skill at all, but something you’re either born with or not. Others know they have room for improvement but the demands of practicing law make learning new skills seem like a luxury they can’t afford.

Nevertheless, strong communication skills are essential for lawyers. In a typical day, a lawyer may deal with a surly judge, an unhappy client, or perhaps a difficult adversary. No lawyer should take all of that on without the skills to handle difficult people and situations with poise and confidence.

Lawyers who’ve learned how to say the right words, strike the right tone, and listen more effectively have a significant advantage over those who lack those skills, not just professionally, but in every facet of life. They will likely be more influential than their peers, have happier clients, and enjoy career opportunities most lawyers will never have.

And the good news is that good communicators are made, not born. Anyone can learn these skills and see dramatic improvement without having to invent the thirty-six hour day.

Here are a few simple ways to communicate more effectively as a lawyer, all of which I learned the hard way:

1. Remember that “less is more.”  Judges are busier than ever, and they’ve heard it all before anyway, so tell them what they really need to know, as concisely as possible, and they’ll ask questions if they want to know more.

2. Think before you speak. Don’t be like the attorney who had this exchange with an expert witness in court:

                Attorney:  Doctor, as a result of your examination of the plaintiff, is the young lady pregnant?

                Witness:  The young lady is pregnant — but not as a result of my examination.

We’ve all been there and feel the lawyer’s pain. And let’s face it – this kind of thing isn’t exactly a boon to your career, but with the right set of skills, these mistakes are easily avoided.

3. Be an active listener.  Show you’re listening through posture, facial expression, and playing back what you’ve heard.

4. A little empathy goes a long way. People will be less defensive and more receptive.

5. Know your audience
Who are they?
What do they know?
What do they need to know?
Are they friendly or hostile?
What motivates them?

6. Remember that most communication is non-verbal. What you have to say is of course paramount, but it’s not enough.  To help your audience grasp and retain your message you must be skillful and strategic with your non-verbal communication as well.

The short version of that is: stand up straight, speak up, and look people in the eye. Let your body language project poise and confidence, not fear and uncertainty.

7. Look professional.  You don’t have to dress like a millionaire but at least retire that suit you bought during the Kennedy administration.  People judge you by your appearance more than you may think.

8. Learn some new communication skills and then work on them as if your professional success depends on it.  Go to a communication skills workshop, be brave and watch yourself on video and, above all, practice, practice, and then practice some more.

Clients have too much at stake for lawyers to just keep doing what they’ve always done, hoping for a different result. If all you intend to do is simply deliver your content to your audience, you might as well send your newest associate and take the day off.

To be persuasive, compelling, and memorable to your audience you must add strong non-verbal skills – good eye contact, appropriate gestures, confident posture, and professional appearance – to the words you say.

With even a modest investment of time and effort you can be a more powerful advocate for your clients and maybe even rediscover the passion that drew you to the legal profession in the first place.