Slowly, ever so slowly, lawyers and staff are making their way back to the office. While we all look forward to returning to normal, the normal we left in early 2020 remains elusive. Many of those who are returning, at least part-time in the office, are experiencing empty hallways, masked co-workers, and a massive volume of work.
For those who are leading teams (such as executive committees, practice and industry groups, client teams, administrative departments, and firm committees), the struggle is more complex. Over the past 18 months, new people may have joined the team, others have left, and many are reconsidering their future in the organization. Many firms are shifting to a hybrid work model, where lawyers and staff will divide their time between in-office and outside-the-office work, making management and leadership tasks more challenging.
