Today, we're talking about something different. Creative hobbies and the benefits they can bring to lawyers and other professionals.

What do you do when you finally have some quiet time, after a long and stressful day of lawyering? For many, the answer includes some mindless scrolling, binge-watching, going for a run or diving into a great book. And sometimes that can be exactly what we need to give our minds and bodies a break. But other times, it leaves us lacking. We need something that goes beyond helping us slow down and, instead, actually fills our cup back up.

Well, in this podcast, Karen and I talk about how a creative hobby can be that something that inspires and energizes you every day, even on days when you feel drained or depleted.

In this episode, we share stories and ideas from our own experiences of leaning into art, including getting started, keeping it going, fitting it into a busy life, taking it with you wherever you go and overcoming fears of the blank page. We even suggest some specific ideas to try if this is all a bit new to you.

Despite what our teachers or society may have taught or told us over the years, we're all creative. You can do this. You might even love it.

To learn more about Karen Dunn Skinner, please go to https://www.leanlegal.academy/.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management.

Today, we're looking at DEI from a different perspective, completely. Rather than the shoulds of it, we're addressing the why and the how of doing it right.

The landscape of professional services firms is somewhat divided when it comes to the difficult topic of DEI. Some firms have policies. Some don’t. Some are open to learning more. Some are disillusioned, disappointed are disinclined. Further still, following the basic requirements may not have had much of an impact and, as a result, there are new or lingering concerns and uncertainty about the value of these programs.

Some of the questions that came up in this episode, include:

• Why it's in your interest to do DEI right.
• What does it mean to do DEI right?
• How can DEI make your firm stronger?
• What are firms getting wrong about DEI?
• What are the missed opportunities with DEI in professional practice?

Skillfully tackling this sensitive topic and sharing actual experiences with me is Michelle Davis. To learn more about Michelle, please go to mvdconsulting.ca.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management.

Today, we’re talking about difficult conversations in the workplace. Facing them head-on, rather than avoiding or delaying... because the underlying issue probably isn’t going away anytime soon.

In this episode, we share relatable stories and ideas that range the full gamut of the difficult conversation, from being the initiator to being on the receiving end, from the spontaneous to the planned.

It's a sensitive topic, but we invite you to lean into it with us. Getting better at difficult conversations can be a game-changer for anyone in professional services, where your work primarily focuses on engaging with other people (clients, teams, supervisors, collaborators). Growing this critical communication skill can embolden you to pursue your goals and reduce stress along the way.

Tackling this challenging topic with me (masterfully!) is Hannah Lau. To learn more about Hannah, please go to https://astera.asia/.

You're listening to Get in the Driver’s Seat! We’re telling stories about leadership moments in small to mid-sized professional practices. I’m your host, Sandra Bekhor, Practice Management Coach for lawyers, architects, consultants and other professionals at Bekhor Management.