Excellence unseen is excellence unrewarded. Make sure your work enters the right orbit.
In today’s legal and corporate environments, excellence alone is not enough. High-level executive lawyers at corporations and top-tier law firms are expected to be exceptional performers. That’s a given. What separates those who rise from those who remain overlooked is visibility—strategic, intentional, and consistent visibility.
Here’s the reality: People can’t value what they don’t see. Promotions, compensation, board appointments, and influence are rarely granted based solely on merit. They are awarded to those who make a significant impact, shape conversations, and drive outcomes across the organization. The legal profession, while rooted in precision and performance, is still deeply human. And humans reward what they remember—and they remember what’s visible.
Below are 10 actionable strategies to ensure your performance is not only exceptional but also unmistakably recognized:
- Translate Legal Wins into Business Value
Don’t just share what you did—explain why it mattered. Tie legal results to business outcomes such as avoided risk, cost savings, or strategic advantage. - Create Executive Briefs that Travel Upward
Prepare concise, insightful summaries of key issues and victories that leaders can share. Make it easy for others to tell your story. This can be memorialized in an email, one-page PDF, or PowerPoint presentation, which are great shareable files that can be forwarded. - Speak the Language of the Business
Shift from legalese to strategic value. When you speak like a business leader, not just a legal advisor, you earn a seat at the strategic table. For example, instead of:“This merger has antitrust concerns.” Say:“If we structure the deal this way, we can still capture 80% of the synergies while reducing our antitrust scrutiny risk.” - Build Cross-Functional Alliances
Collaborate with leaders in finance, operations, HR, and marketing. Broader relationships increase your visibility and position you as a trusted business partner. - Present at Internal and External Forums
Volunteer to speak on panels, host town halls, continuing legal education sessions, or represent the legal team in leadership meetings. Visibility breeds credibility. - Keep Your Wins Documented in Real Time
Start a “win file.” Track and share successes monthly so you’re prepared for performance reviews, bonus discussions, or promotion opportunities without scrambling to recall them. - Champion High-Impact, High-Visibility Projects
Raise your hand for transformative initiatives—AI, cybersecurity, compliance overhauls—where your legal guidance helps shape innovation. - Be Seen in Strategic Conversations
Don’t wait to be asked for input. Bring forward legal insights that anticipate business risks or create opportunities. Proactivity equals power. - Cultivate Internal Advocates
Your work should speak for itself, but people must also speak on your behalf, especially when you are not in the room. Build champions who will advocate for your contributions when you’re not in the room. - Brand Yourself Internally
Define and reinforce how you want to be known—strategic, solution-oriented, risk-smart. Consistency in how you show up builds a reputation that opens doors.
In conclusion, in the world of executive leadership, performance is the foundation, but visibility is the amplifier. The next promotion, project, or board seat won’t go to the most silent contributor. It will go to the leader whose work can be seen, whose name is remembered, and whose value is undeniable.
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