Professional Development Insights

A list of resources that shape great General Counsel through leadership and strategic thought

There are certain phrases that, the moment they’re spoken, subtly shift the energy in the room. For many executive teams, one of those phrases is when legal says: It’s a business decision. From Legal’s perspective, it often feels like the right thing to say. Disciplined. Appropriate. Even respectful of roles. But in our Ready Set GC program sessions with our experienced C-Suite leaders, the reaction is almost universal and surprisingly visceral: They hate it. Not because th

Executive presence is often described as gravitas and confidence—but its true foundation is emotional intelligence. From self-awareness and self-regulation to empathy, motivation, and social skills, EQ shapes how leaders build trust, communicate under pressure, and inspire others. This post explores how strengthening emotional intelligence creates the stability and authenticity that define lasting executive presence.

If you’re the first or only General Counsel at your company, you already know what it’s like to be in the thick of it: reviewing NDAs between back-to-back meetings, jumping into urgent contract reviews, dealing with a compliance snag, and fielding “quick legal questions” that are never quick. You’re doing the work. All of it. But what about thinking like a GC, the kind who drives strategy, speaks the language of the boardroom, and helps shape the future of the company? We se

Part 1: Coverage Gaps, Crisis Readiness, and Litigation Control One of the most important risk mitigation tools in an organization’s arsenal is its insurance program. Insurance often gets reduced to dollars and cents—premiums, retentions, limits. But when insurance is treated as a mere procurement exercise, it’s a missed opportunity. General Counsel know there’s more to the story. Insurance is not just a “must-have” operational requirement; it’s a powerful, often underlever

Today’s General Counsel must be more than a legal advisor—they must be a strategic business leader. From building credibility with the C-suite to aligning legal strategy with enterprise goals, modern GCs need strong influence, business fluency, and trusted relationships. Learn how allyship, active listening, and cross-functional collaboration can help GCs lead with confidence and drive real impact.

In-house legal professionals often find themselves in an unusual position. Unlike external counsel who are retained for specific tasks and usually have a clear client-attorney dynamic, in-house counsel live and breathe the business, working cross-functionally with product, marketing, engineering, and leadership. Yet, despite being deeply embedded, legal teams rarely have formal authority over their business partners.

Since our inception, Ready Set GC has featured thought-provoking blogs written by our esteemed Advisory Board members. These pieces have offered invaluable insights and advice tailored for women GCs navigating their unique journeys. In 2025, we’re taking a bold step forward. In our mission to empower our community, we are expanding our conversations to include voices from across the in-house legal community. Our new series, Beyond the Board, will spotlight guest contributors

Reflecting on 2024, I achieved two significant milestones: earning certification and licensure in a medical field unrelated to my career and stepping into a new role as a global practice leader in professional services. These experiences reinforced a powerful lesson: learning agility isn’t just a survival skill—it’s a superpower for thriving in today’s dynamic professional environment. For female general counsels (GCs), learning agility is particularly critical. As their rol

Have you ever walked into a difficult conversation only to find yourself losing focus, caught off guard by an unexpected turn, or leaving without making your key points? These moments can be some of the most challenging in our professional and personal lives. As lawyers, we know the power of words, but when conversations are difficult and we aren’t prepared, even the best intentions can fall short. Yet, with the right preparation, these moments can become opportunities for co