Many lawyers are contentious, not because they are lawyers but because many contentious people tend to become lawyers. Most lawyers have massive egos, not because they are lawyers but because people with massive egos tend to become lawyers.
As such, the challenge for managing partners becomes how to motivate contentious, egotistical, highly intelligent and functionally effective professionals. The answer is to a large extent that they are self-motivated. Because of these personality characteristics, deliberate attempts at motivation by the managing partner are immediately perceived and are oftentimes counterproductive.
