Traci Cipriano, JD, PhD, is a psychologist and former practicing attorney with a passion for promoting wellbeing, emotional intelligence and positive communication in the workplace. She is a member of the CBA Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. Courtesy photo.
As you reflect on your personal and law firm goals for the new year, one thing you might consider is committing to the Connecticut Bar Association’s Well-Being Pledge. Behavior and culture change are not easy to accomplish, and the Pledge was designed with this complexity in mind. The Pledge defines well-being broadly, embracing both individual and organizational components integral to the promotion of self-care and healthy work environments. At the same time, it is important to note that the Pledge itself is just the beginning, and one of many tools in your toolbox; it cannot possibly address all aspects of well-being.
Designed to Promote Change
A pledge commitment form is designed to promote internal commitment by stimulating thoughts and conversation within your firm around well-being issues and culture change. Before a cultural shift can occur, however, you and your firm need to be both aware of the issues at hand and ready to do something about them. In addition to its checklist of goals, the pledge commitment also provides a framework for generating proactive steps to foster such change, with brief written plans.
