Leah Teague
Professor and Director of Leadership Development Program
Baylor Law School
Why is teaching leadership in law schools important?
Three reasons teaching leadership in law schools is important:
- Every aspect of lawyering is leadership. Leadership is about influencing others to accomplish a goal. From advising clients to advocating for a cause to negotiating a deal or the resolution of a conflict, every aspect of what a lawyer does when representing clients is a version of leadership.
- Throughout history lawyers have served in leadership positions within organizations and their communities, and that expectation continues with our current law students. Law schools should better prepare students for the important roles they will hold after graduation.
- With the advancement in technology, lawyers must be more than legal technicians. The skills sets lawyers need to be successful in the future ARE the skills and competencies we teach in leadership. Students will be better equipped for the challenges they will face if they have an understanding of the lawyers’ obligations to serve and the opportunities that they will have to influence outcomes.
If you teach a leadership course, what’s the title and brief description of the course?
Leadership Engagement and Development (LEAD)
If you use a textbook or book, what do you use?
Our book, Fundamentals of Lawyer Leadership. Second Edition will be out this fall with a modified title
If you or your law school have a leadership program, what’s the title and brief description of the program?
Baylor Law School Leadership Development Program at https://law.baylor.edu/students/leadership-development
Through our Leadership Development Program, we enhance our students’ training for the critical roles they will assume after graduation. The objectives of the program are to encourage and assist law students to:
- Embrace their professional identity as they serve clients and society;
- Develop competencies and skills to succeed; and
- Boldly seek opportunities to make a difference in the profession, their communities, and the world.
Baylor Law is dedicated to preparing graduates who are not only proficient in analysis and advocacy but also able to use reasoning, judgment, imagination, and foresight to navigate complex situations, solve problems, create new possibilities and develop effective relationships. We want to help them become their best self and reach their potential.
What’s your favorite leadership book? Why?
Every new leadership book I read adds to my understanding. I can’t pick a favorite! Most recent were 2 recommended during the last webinar led by Joan Heminway: A More Beautiful Question by Warren Burger (today’s leaders must be inquisitive to be innovative and inspirational) and Radical Candor by Kim Scott (I love the encouragement to strive for Compassionate Candor in our interactions with others i.e., care personally while having the courage to challenge directly and respectfully). But here are some that have been meaningful to me in the last few years: Start with Why by Simon Sinek (this is how we should be teaching our students and leading others to get better buy in); Dare to Lead by Brene Brown (probably a more powerful read for women). A book that was important to me as I began to focus on creating a leadership program at Baylor: Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute.
What’s your favorite leadership quote?
Again, I collect quotes, love quotes! Too hard to pick a favorite. Here is one that applies to those of us committed to preparing lawyers to serve in the important leadership roles that will be expected on them:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead