This is an excerpted introduction to a newsletter ghostwritten for a legal tech thought leader:
Hello Friends and Colleagues,
Ever consider how much modern life sets us up to be spectators? We’re always watching screens and devices, mere scrollers and observers of the world and events around us. In legal work, action often requires even more face time with screens and devices.
Add in how easy it is to get caught up in the relentless onslaught of daily tasks, and before we know it, we’ve forgotten a simple but powerful fact: People need us to show up for them.
You, my fellow legal professional, are extraordinary. Your unique qualities, singular talents, and distinctive traits make you the ideal person to contribute in specific ways in certain circumstances.
Consider Enid’s story. A few years ago, Enid volunteered at a local food bank where she met a woman who had recently lost her job and struggled to feed her family. Enid listened to her story and realized her legal expertise could help the woman unravel the knotty system of government assistance programs. Enid helped the woman get back on her feet faster than she would have on her own.
Another person might’ve connected the woman with a job resource. (Though getting involved doesn’t necessarily mean pro bono or volunteer work.) Simply listening to a friend’s concerns can be enough to make another feel less alone—a free act of kindness in itself. The point is to recognize the value in what you can offer and to use your abilities to make a difference. It’s about turning away from our screens to connect with others.
The need for proactive involvement is one reason I love working at the intersection of law and technology. It’s a complex, constantly changing field. Legal issues are often uncharted territory. You have to dive in, swim around in the dark, and figure out what works and what doesn’t. It matches my skills and passions perfectly.
If you’re feeling a bit too much like an onlooker lately, I challenge you to take action today. Make a difference in an area you’re passionate about. Remember, too, that you are not alone. Others can help you achieve your goals if you reach out for help. We can accomplish much more when we work together and tap into each other’s greatest strengths.
Together, we can create a better world for all as long as we all take action.
What makes you uniquely valuable professionally?
How do you embrace your distinctiveness?
What can you offer to your community that others can’t provide?