I’ll never forget the moment I thought a critical deal was slipping through my fingers. Late on a Friday night, I received an email that made my stomach drop: a key transaction was unraveling. Months of negotiations, strategy meetings, and meticulous planning were suddenly in jeopardy because of an unforeseen risk flagged by the other party. It felt like one of those classic breakdowns-and- breakthroughs moments—the kind that tests everything you’ve built as a legal leader.
At that moment, it felt like a breakdown.
But what I didn’t know then was that it would become one of the biggest breakthroughs in my career. That’s the hidden power of breakdowns and breakthroughs—they often come as a pair, especially in legal leadership.
When the Weight of Responsibility Feels Heavy
If you’ve ever worked in legal leadership, you know the feeling all too well. The weight of responsibility. The relentless attention to detail. The late nights spent combing through contracts, anticipating risks, and ensuring compliance—only to realize that despite your best efforts, something critical was missed.
That night, staring at a document I knew by heart, doubt crept in. Had we overlooked something obvious? Could I have done more to foresee this? The pressure in legal operations isn’t just about fixing problems—it’s about preventing them in the first place.
But here’s what I’ve learned: every great legal leader will face moments of uncertainty. The key is in how we navigate those breakdowns and breakthroughs.
Reframing Breakdowns and Breakthroughs
Instead of spiraling into self-doubt, I made a deliberate shift. I stopped replaying what went wrong and started focusing on what was possible.
Over the weekend, my team and I reframed the issue. We explored alternative solutions, pivoted our approach, and by Monday morning, we had a new strategy. Two weeks later, the transaction closed—not as originally planned, but stronger, with safeguards and insights that informed every deal afterward.
That moment taught me a fundamental truth: in legal leadership, every breakdown carries the seed of a breakthrough—if you’re willing to look for it. Breakdowns and breakthroughs are part of the journey, not detours from it.
Turning Breakdowns into Breakthroughs in Legal Leadership
If you’re in the trenches of legal operations, balancing high-stakes decisions with limited time and resources, consider this:
- Breakdowns and breakthroughs force innovation – When things don’t go as planned, it’s often a sign that a system, strategy, or assumption needs rethinking. Legal operations thrive on efficiency, but efficiency doesn’t mean rigidity. Sometimes, the best solutions come from unexpected challenges.
- Perspective is everything – The best in-house lawyers aren’t just problem-solvers; they’re opportunity creators. When a deal falters, a contract issue arises, or a regulatory hurdle appears, the question isn’t why is this happening? but what can we build from here?
- Resilience is a leadership skill – Whether you’re leading a legal team or managing complex negotiations, your ability to navigate uncertainty is what sets you apart. A single moment of crisis doesn’t define your career—your response to it does.
That’s the power behind breakdowns and breakthroughs in legal leadership: you get to choose how the story unfolds.
Your Turn: Reflect on Your Leadership Journey
This weekend, take a moment to think about your own experiences:
- When have you faced a moment where everything felt like it was falling apart—but it actually became a turning point?
- How do you navigate uncertainty? What strategies help you shift your mindset?
- What lessons have you learned about resilience, creativity, or teamwork when a breakthrough followed a breakdown?
The next time you face a challenge, remember: it’s not the end of the road—it’s the start of something new. Breakdowns and breakthroughs are two sides of the same coin. The best legal leaders know how to turn one into the other.
Join the Conversation
At Notes to My (Legal) Self®, we’re dedicated to helping in-house legal professionals develop the skills, insights, and strategies needed to thrive in today’s evolving legal landscape. From leadership development to legal operations optimization and emerging technology, we provide the tools to help you stay ahead.
What’s been your biggest breakthrough moment in your legal career? Let’s talk about it—share your story.
