Navigation 450. Stop Practicing Law – Start Leading with Catherine O'Connell
- 450. Stop Practicing Law - Start Leading with Catherine O'Connell Sam Mollaei and Neil Tyra 44:54
If you’ve ever felt stuck toggling between being an excellent lawyer and a true business leader, this episode is your wake-up call.
In the final installment of the “Built to Lead” series, host Brigit Norris sits down with Catherine O’Connell, a powerhouse legal entrepreneur, to unpack what it takes to step into the role of visionary CEO. This isn’t about tips for better time management—it’s a blueprint for reclaiming your authority, redesigning your career, and rewriting your firm’s future.
Catherine’s hard-won wisdom will push you to rethink your identity, your leadership, and your legacy. If you’re ready to lead instead of just serve, don’t miss this.
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Key Takeaways from Bridgit and Catherine:
1. From Technician to Visionary
Shifting from legal technician to strategic leader requires letting go of perfectionism and trusting others to carry the load.
The real transformation starts when you stop identifying solely with your technical role and start envisioning your firm as a scalable enterprise.
2. Delegation is Non-Negotiable
Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the gateway to growth.
When you delegate with trust and process, you create capacity to lead and think strategically rather than stay buried in daily tasks.
3. Leadership Begins with You
You cannot lead a high-performing team if you’re not actively leading yourself.
Creating time for self-reflection, CEO-level thinking, and intentionality is what shifts you from overwhelmed operator to empowered leader.
4. The Power of Presence and Visibility
Visibility isn’t vanity—it’s strategy.
Building relationships, showing up, and making your leadership known both within and beyond the firm establishes authority and attracts opportunity.
5. Redefining Success for Women in Law
The path to sustainable success as a woman in law involves redefining legacy and income through innovation, not just legal excellence.
Choosing to lead from purpose and design a business aligned with your life is the ultimate power move.
“If you want loyalty, I think you have to lead with trust, not tasks. So, building that strong team I mentioned before starts with trust — and that begins even before hiring.” — Catherine O’Connell
Get in touch with Catherine O’Connell:
Website: https://www.catherineoconnelllaw.com/
Show: Lawyer on Air: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lawyer-on-air/id1553526783
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oconnellcatherine/
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