The other day I picked my niece up from from school.  As usual, I started talking about something I learned that day and as usual, when I think I might have used a word or started a topic my niece may not know about, I ask, ‘are you familiar with that word/topic?’  And on cue she says, ‘Yes.’  When I say, ‘then tell me what you know’ she says, ‘well I don’t really remember. Can you explain, again?’  Pretending to know that which she doesn’t. Such is the life of an eight year old.  It’s not a good habit at 8, and it is especially limiting if you are an attorney.

The truth is lawyers tend to be rather impressed with how much they know because non-lawyers are generally impressed with what they believe attorneys know.  And this can really box lawyers in.  Yet, one of the most profound ways to transform yourself and transform your relationship with clients and others in your life is to act like you don’t have all the answers.

Let’s just talk about every day life.  When you say ‘I know’ to anyone who may be trying to educate you or explain something to you, you are effectively battening down the hatches on getting a much deeper understanding on a topic, or a new perspective on an issue, or even getting help in your education or your business if you are not succeeding on your own. By keeping an open mind to new ideas, new concepts, new perspectives, other people’s experiences they are willing to share, you free yourself from being the dreaded ‘know-it-all’ and become someone who wants to perpetually learn and deeply understand and incorporate that deeper knowledge into how you live your life.  And this includes your work life.

It’s tough when you are a lawyer, however. Especially a new lawyer who is so fearful of letting on there is something you may not know or fully understand.  You want a mentor, but there is an image we are bucking up against, that of someone who knows everything because you are positioned as an adviser.

There are ways around this, though.  First, when you are interviewing a client or talking to opposing counsel, reserve judgment and arguments and impressing others and listen instead.  Just keep listening and learning. Take mental notes to later fashion your responses whether in memorandum or future strategy sessions.  Knowledge does not have to be shouted out from the rooftops at every occasion.  There are tremendous benefits to just being present and listening.  If the client or counsel wants an immediate response, they can want what they want when they want it but it is up to you to give a proper answer at the correct time, not on demand (unless you are in front of a judge and this is your only option.)

Lawyering is no different than your everyday life as you have to keep an open mind, stay curious and keep learning.  If you do, you will have greater success, make fewer mistakes, and continue a professional career which involves life-long learning instead of repeating limited knowledge year after year. And we often need to hear things several times before we actually ‘get it’.  But once we do understand it, that’s when we become it.

My favorite line when someone asks me if I ‘know’ something and I sense they want to share – “I’m somewhat familiar but I’d love to learn more.’

Are you a practicing ‘know-it-all’?  Do you have a favorite line which invites others to share their knowledge?