Firm’s managing partner helps his clients ‘solve problems in advance’
When David Lenz became managing partner of Schneider Smeltz Spieth Bell, he was only 38 and knew he was going to have his hands full as he transitioned into the role of leading the 156-year-old Cleveland law firm.
What he couldn’t have known was that his hands were soon to be full to overflowing.
Lenz was named managing partner in January 2020. He had only 2-1/2 months to get his bearings before the COVID-19 pandemic hit with an unprecedented force that brought many law firms and other businesses across the country to their knees. Lenz remembers the regular partners meeting the first Thursday of March where it was decided to make remote work possible for the entire staff “in case COVID becomes a thing.”
Ten days later Lenz told attorneys and staff they were not required to work in the office.
Seven days after that, he sent everyone home except for himself and the office manager. For several months, they were the only two working in the downtown office.
What he couldn’t have known was that his hands were soon to be full to overflowing.
Lenz was named managing partner in January 2020. He had only 2-1/2 months to get his bearings before the COVID-19 pandemic hit with an unprecedented force that brought many law firms and other businesses across the country to their knees. Lenz remembers the regular partners meeting the first Thursday of March where it was decided to make remote work possible for the entire staff “in case COVID becomes a thing.”
Ten days later Lenz told attorneys and staff they were not required to work in the office.
Seven days after that, he sent everyone home except for himself and the office manager. For several months, they were the only two working in the downtown office.
Kevin Samuel Fridolin Manogari
Leks&Co, Jakarta, Indonesia
Leks&Co, Jakarta, Indonesia
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When you talk, you are only repeating what you know, but when you listen, you learn something new.
When you talk, you are only repeating what you know, but when you listen, you learn something new.
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Take Time for a Break
Too many of us work through lunch, push to bill that additional 0.1, or refuse to stop working because we “have too much to do.”
Well, our brains actually work in two modes—focused and diffused. The diffused state is almost like daydreaming. Studies have shown that people solve their most difficult problems in that diffused state.
And if that isn’t motivation enough to take a break every once in a while, consider the fact that breaks make us more productive and more creative; they increase the retention of information; they improve decision-making; and we cultivate healthier habits (i.e., making a healthy lunch) when we allow ourselves the break. While 17 minutes is considered the optimal amount of time for a break, even five minutes allows your prefrontal cortex the rest it needs to enhance these benefits. Next time you think “I have too much to do,” consider it a service to your client and to yourself to take a refreshing break.
Well, our brains actually work in two modes—focused and diffused. The diffused state is almost like daydreaming. Studies have shown that people solve their most difficult problems in that diffused state.
And if that isn’t motivation enough to take a break every once in a while, consider the fact that breaks make us more productive and more creative; they increase the retention of information; they improve decision-making; and we cultivate healthier habits (i.e., making a healthy lunch) when we allow ourselves the break. While 17 minutes is considered the optimal amount of time for a break, even five minutes allows your prefrontal cortex the rest it needs to enhance these benefits. Next time you think “I have too much to do,” consider it a service to your client and to yourself to take a refreshing break.
This Wellness Tip was brought to you by the Quality of Life Subcommittee of the Primerus™ Quality Assurance Board and Featured Contributor Nicole Quintana. We also welcome your tips, which can be submitted to Paige Neirman at pneirman@primerus.com for publication consideration.
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