In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Jennifer Gardner discuss:

• The impact of emotional intelligence on personal and professional success
• Strategies for communication and influence in legal practice
• Addressing challenges in business development and client management
• Lawyers’ responsibility in upholding societal values and the rule of law

Key Takeaways:

• Lawyers can enhance their decision-making and relationship-building skills by focusing on emotional intelligence, which includes empathy and understanding clients' emotions.
• Influence, distinct from power or convincing, is most effective when used to align others' decisions with their own goals while fostering collaboration.
• Prospective client meetings are more successful when the focus is on listening and empathizing rather than pitching or hard-selling services.
• Recognizing every interaction as an opportunity to influence positively can help lawyers build trust, improve client outcomes, and reinforce their roles as guardians of the rule of law.

"Every communication is an opportunity to move further and further toward that end—using influence in a really positive way to achieve great results for our clients and to enforce the rule of law." — Jennifer Gardner

Got a challenge growing your law practice? Email me at steve@fretzin.com with your toughest question, and I'll answer it live on the show—anonymously, just using your first name!

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Rankings.io: https://rankings.io/

Rainmakers Roundtable: https://www.fretzin.com/lawyer-coaching-and-training/peer-advisory-groups/

Episode References:

Lex Fridman Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lex-fridman-podcast/id1434243584

About Jennifer Gardner: Jennifer B. Gardner is a Los Angeles-based trial lawyer and persuasive communications educator. She specializes in strategic, empathic, and persuasive communication, focusing on high performers in various settings. When she is not lawyering, she educates high-performing leaders on how to grow their executive presence and confidence using persuasive communication strategies through her program, “The Art of Influence and the Power Lab,” as well as for various continuing legal education providers. She also consults with lawyers on strategic messaging for their cases and helps them enhance their courtroom presence.

Connect with Jennifer Gardner:

Website: https://jenniferbgardner.com/ & https://jgardnerassociates.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbgardner/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjenniferbgardner

Connect with Steve Fretzin:

LinkedIn: Steve Fretzin

Twitter: @stevefretzin

Instagram: @fretzinsteve

Facebook: Fretzin, Inc.

Website: Fretzin.com

Email: Steve@Fretzin.com

Book: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!

YouTube: Steve Fretzin

Call Steve directly at 847-602-6911

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.