The Heart of Practice
The Heart of Practice
‘In a world awash with books about leadership (15,000 currently in print), precious few of them address the distinctive needs of the modern legal services business. So, this book by Simon Tupman is particularly welcome.
The Heart of Practice is a breath of fresh air. It takes a practical real-world approach to identifying the principles by which successful practitioners of the art (and it is an art) lead. The book is well researched and thought provoking, but with a deft lightness of touch. In the first section, Simon explores the principles that underpin effective leadership. In the second section, he puts them into practice, informed as they are, by in-depth conversations with ten leaders of - and advisers to - successful law firms. The thoughts of a government department Chief Legal Officer provide the all-important client perspective.
It is a work designed to inspire you and, in turn, help you to inspire your people to achieve.’
Foreword by Simon J. Slater
Non-Executive Chair, Byfield Consultancy Ltd
Price Excludes GST
What people are saying about The Heart of Practice:
‘The Heart of Practice is a fantastic mix of stories, wisdom and practical advice complemented by ten legal leaders who relate their answers to the extremely insightful questions that Simon poses to each. This book is full of tips and strategies that can be applied immediately. As a leader, do yourself and your colleagues a huge favour and invest your time in reading this book.’
Patrick J. McKenna, co-author of First Among Equals: How to Manage a Group of Professionals and author of The Art of Leadership Succession: How to Select Your Next Firm Leader, Canada
‘Simon Tupman has created another highly readable and thought-provoking companion for 21st Century lawyers. The Heart of the Practice's pot pourri of quotes and mental explorations are deftly sown together to reveal the critical soft elements of operating a successful legal business - much needed for a profession that has been in crisis for some time.’
Mitch Kowalski, author of The Great Legal Reformation: Notes from the Field, and Avoiding Extinction: Reimagining Legal Services for the 21st Century, Canada
‘The return on investment that I got from reading this book was enormous - wide-ranging and transformative insights on leadership, for just a couple of hours of reading. I built up a host of “knockout” take-away points, but more than that the book brought the whole concept of leadership to life in a no-nonsense way. I couldn’t put it down once I’d started.’
Simon McCrum, author of The Perfect Legal Business, UK
‘Immerse yourself in The Heart of Practice and turn the final page feeling enlightened and inspired. Simon weaves theory, evidence, and practice together to create a compelling case for more intentional law firm leadership. Characteristically Tupman-esque in style, this highly readable book educates not only on why effective leadership is critically important but also how it can be achieved. A must-read for any current or aspiring leader in the legal profession.’
Katherine Thomas, CEO, Free Range Lawyers, Australia
‘Leadership is a tricky but critically important thing to get right! In this book, Simon has created a contemporary framework for effective leadership by drawing on his own extensive experience and combining it with the lived experiences of those in leadership roles across the legal ecosystem today. If you’re leading a legal business right now or about to, you’ll definitely find inspiration and words of wisdom in these pages.’
Terri Mottershead, Executive Director, Centre for Legal Innovation at the College of Law, Australia
‘Practical, honest and inspiring, The Heart of Practice offers a much needed, must-read guidebook for aspiring legal leaders. Tupman’s four principles of leadership and “points to ponder” will help you uncover your own leadership blind spots and give you practical tools for implementation. Now put these principles into play in your own organisation so you too can tap into the power and potential that comes from placing leadership at the heart of your practice.’
Lucy Dickens, Lawyer and author of It’s Time to Do Law Differently
‘The Heart of Practice is an excellent blend of theory and practice for today's managing partner. I wish that I had such a useful book by my side when I was in the role. It stimulates the mind as well as providing an insight into how others have approached the challenges of managing a professional services firm.’
Nick Holt, Director of Development, Punter Southall Law, UK
‘Each of the four principles of leadership that Simon explains are absolutely ‘on point’ and brilliantly explained; to have this then supported by the interviews with law firm leaders really brings those principles to life.’
Martin Hopkins, Managing Partner, Birkett Long LLP, UK