After the launch of the MI Mentor Series with MI Chair, David Ettinger in August, next in the spotlight was Lorraine Cavataio, Super-Lawyer from Sandberg Phoenix in Illinois, USA.
Forget super-lawyer, she was a superstar…
Lorraine spoke with openness and honesty about her personal growth from shy girl to ‘podium speaker’ – about the importance of finding a safe and unjudgmental space to put yourself out of your comfort zone and push those areas you want to improve. Seeing Lorraine as the warm, free-flowing presenter she is now, it’s hard to credit her with shyness and you can really see how that effort in her early years paid off.
She powerfully shared one of her great life-lessons – in fact, ‘the most important message in the world’: “Don’t hold yourself back.”
She also spoke frankly about the mistakes and trip-ups (sometimes literally!) she’s made along the way, from a skirt-high heel malfunction, to having to tell a key client she’d messed up – and winning the client’s respect and gratitude (and a chance to put things right). Fail to make yourself better - and don’t be afraid of it.
‘Humanise situations’ was another great piece of advice – don’t talk like a lawyer, talk like a human being. Be clear, be engaging, be humble, be on your client’s level.
And say an emphatic ‘yes’ to all the opportunities that come your way…
- And for further perspectives about both personal growth and building your legal career keep an eye out for details of our October speaker, Lee Soo Chye, Partner at Wee Swee Teow in Singapore, Tuesday October 13th.