Employees don't leave jobs. THEY LEAVE BOSSES. In today's economy, every decision affects bottom line profitability. An unstable work force chews up profit.

Leadership defines the work culture. The culture changes your employees' perception. Perception creates loyalty. And the clients know the difference between the synergy of a toxic work environment and a positive work environment.

Leadership today needs to have three basic core elements. The first is the vision to see where the firm is going. If there is no defined direction the employees have no goals. Making employees a part of the firm vision is just good common sense.

The second core element of leadership is character. Do you walk the walk and talk the talk. Do you represent the core values of your firm. In fact have you ever defined the core values of your firm?

Finally, adaptability means the ability to reach all levels of employees within your organization. It is just as important you have a repoire with your file clerk as it does with your firm administrator.

Everyone has within them the ability to lead. 'Natural born leaders' is a myth. You simply have to decide you want to learn. And the reason you want to learn is to create a profitable, high synergy law firm, that is a place where employees stay, where the structure is stable, and where clients know that they are getting the best of the best.

Becoming a leader starts with a willingness to change patterns and to gain knowledge. This can be done through mentoring from other leaders, reading books on leadership and/or taking leadership classes. Inaction is the first sign of the lack of leadership in any law firm or for that fact in any business. Where does your firm stand?