Page 128 - MASTER COPY LEADERS BOOK 9editedJKK (24)_Neat
P. 128
Leaders in Legal Business
Strategy development and execution 76% 76% 60%
Professional development of staff 35% 39% 17%
Risk management N/A N/A 23%
Succession planning N/A N/A 2%
Other 4% 2% 3%
It is increasingly important that the general counsel have the skills to navigate beyond just
the legal issues — to have many more of the softer skills necessary to negotiate matters
where the rules are not always clear, where the outcomes are not always neat, and where
the impact on the overall organization is widespread and profound.
– General counsel who serves as a public company board member
Chief Legal Officers Value Soft Skills
The top three most desired non-legal skills reported were executive presence, business management, and
communication and listening, according to ACC research.
Figure 6
Which of the following (non-legal) skills are you seeking to develop in your law department?
Business management 2013 2014 2015
Communication and 63% 62% 50%
listening skills 53% 49% 49%
Emotional intelligence
Executive presence 29% 32% 35%
Finance skills N/A N/A 52%
Presentation skills N/A N/A 37%
Technical skills N/A N/A 36%
Project management 21% 29% 30%
Other 52% 54% 48%
None 4% 3% 4%
8% 11% 8%
n = 1,103 n = 1,094
Our research confirms that as today’s business environment becomes ever more complex and global year
upon year, CLOs and GCs will play an increasingly important role in high-stakes executive and boardroom
conversations that shape a company’s future.
121
Strategy development and execution 76% 76% 60%
Professional development of staff 35% 39% 17%
Risk management N/A N/A 23%
Succession planning N/A N/A 2%
Other 4% 2% 3%
It is increasingly important that the general counsel have the skills to navigate beyond just
the legal issues — to have many more of the softer skills necessary to negotiate matters
where the rules are not always clear, where the outcomes are not always neat, and where
the impact on the overall organization is widespread and profound.
– General counsel who serves as a public company board member
Chief Legal Officers Value Soft Skills
The top three most desired non-legal skills reported were executive presence, business management, and
communication and listening, according to ACC research.
Figure 6
Which of the following (non-legal) skills are you seeking to develop in your law department?
Business management 2013 2014 2015
Communication and 63% 62% 50%
listening skills 53% 49% 49%
Emotional intelligence
Executive presence 29% 32% 35%
Finance skills N/A N/A 52%
Presentation skills N/A N/A 37%
Technical skills N/A N/A 36%
Project management 21% 29% 30%
Other 52% 54% 48%
None 4% 3% 4%
8% 11% 8%
n = 1,103 n = 1,094
Our research confirms that as today’s business environment becomes ever more complex and global year
upon year, CLOs and GCs will play an increasingly important role in high-stakes executive and boardroom
conversations that shape a company’s future.
121
