One of the most common questions many have is how employees should be rewarded and promoted within the law firm.  For some, this is a real source of debate and they don’t know the answer.

At the end of the day, the answer to this question is easy.  The answer is loyalty to the firm and selflessness.  Both traits are critical to the success of any organization.

Loyal and selfless employees do all kind of things that are indispensable.  They work very hard.  They know that for the firm to succeed, they have to put in the hours and the time at the office.  They ask not what the law firm can do for them, but what they can do for the law firm.

They stay out of the gossip, negativity and pessimism.  They know that the law firm has a game-plan and a mission.  They know that it’s their job to insure the game-plan and mission is met.  As a result, they have little time for gossip, negativity and pessimism.

They are also not self-focused on themselves.  They understand the vision and the goals of the law firm.  They work hard to ensure the vision and the goals are met.  They do it unselfishly.  They do it knowing that if the firm does well, they will ultimately do well.

In the movie Jerry Maguire, Jerry Maguire has an important exchange with Rod Tidwell about loyalty and team-work:

“All right, I’ll tell you why you don’t have your ten million dollars. Right now, you are a paycheck player. You play with your head, not your heart. In your personal life, heart. But when you get on the field it’s all about what you didn’t get. Who’s to blame. Who under-threw the pass. Who’s got the contract you don’t. Who’s not giving you your love. You know what, that is not what inspires people. That is not what inspires people! Shut up! Play the game, play it from your heart. And you know what, I’ll show you the kwan. And that’s the truth, man! That’s the truth. Can you handle it? It’s just a question between friends, you know. Oh, and when they call you ‘shrimp,’ I’m the one who defends you!”

While the lesson from Jerry Maguire hurt, from that point forward, a new Rod Tidwell emerged in the movie.  The new Rod Tidwell was loyal to his team.  He put others above himself.   He quit complaining and blaming others.  Ultimately, he began inspiring his teammates, the team did well and Rod Tidwell became indispensable.  This resulted in Rod Tidwell getting the big contract he always wanted.

If you are running a law firm and want to know what employees to reward and promote, reward and promote the employees who are loyal and selfless.  Reward and promote the employees who perform like Rod Tidwell did after the brutal pep talk from Jerry Maguire.  If you do that, your law firm will be in good shape.

If you have any thoughts, feel free to share them below.