Attorney Retention Tip: Keep Your Attorneys Motivated With Challenging Work and Meaningful Feedback

In Walden, Henry David Thoreau wrote:

"Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail."

Charlie Caulkins, the managing partner of Fisher & Phillips' Fort Lauderdale, Florida office, follows Mr. Thoreau's advice by adhering to these simple adages: Be sensitive to colleagues; don't micromanage; and be open to dialogue. And be a good listener, too.

Caulkins is particularly focused on attorney retention since turnover is costly. He advises to keep people motivated with challenging and interesting work, and to provide feedback. He acknowledges it's hard to promote people in small offices, but make sure people are trained and prepared when there is an opportunity to do so.

By Steve Imparl, guest blogger