If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard a gazillion (that’s right, gazillion) times from frustrated law firm leaders: “Today’s young lawyers just don’t want to work very hard like I did when I was a young lawyer. They want work-life balance, yet they believe they’re entitled to make the big bucks just because they went to law school. Back in my day…”
Well, young lawyers are here to stay, and they’re starting to assume leadership roles in many firms. You’re not going to change an entire generation, so you best learn to understand them and what makes them tick.
- Traditionalists (born before 1946) – The WWII generation likes stability and clear direction.
- Baby Boomers (1946-1964) – These folks want work-life balance and understand the “big picture.”
- Gen X (1965-1980) – These are creative types who like autonomy and variety.
- Millennials (1981-2000) – Multi-taskers who thrive on recognition and constructive feedback.
Natasha includes her tips and offers a few additional resources if you want to lean more.