Module 6

Culture, ethics and standards: what the leader makes normal

Culture is not what a firm writes in its values statement. It is what people do when no one is watching and what they believe will be rewarded, tolerated or punished. In a legal practice, culture decides whether an associate who finds a mistake in a document says so, whether a partner who is under pressure to bill will cut a corner, whether a junior who sees something wrong has the courage to speak and whether people stay. The leader’s behaviour is the strongest single influence: people watch what the leader notices, what the leader rewards and what the leader lets pass. This module covers how culture is made, how to set standards of quality and conduct, how to make speaking up safe, how to handle mistakes, the particular ethical pressures of legal practice and what to do when someone crosses the line.

General education on leadership in legal practice, using invented people and organisations. It is not legal, HR or professional-conduct advice. Professional rules and employment law differ between countries and change: check the rules that apply to you and take advice on real cases.