Tuesday shorts

As I recover from declaring blog bankruptcy, I’m finding time to stay up on the marvelous things going on in the blogosphere.  So, today I introduce Tuesday shorts, a collection of references to interesting posts I’ve run across recently.

Drowning in email?  I say a hearty AMEN to Dan Hull‘s (of What About Clients?) post E-mail is a great tool and it’s making you nuts. Call me.  Everytime I start to send an email, I question whether a call or actual visit would be more effective.  The answer, not infrequently, is yes.

Today’s Dilbert seems to be channeling some law firm managers.  Here’s an advanced management tip: if you have something unpleasant to convey to someone, spit it out rather than allowing them to marinate in worry.  And if you just need to discuss something, be careful of the way you phrase your request.  This suggestion is applicable to clients as well as those you supervise.  And along the same lines, Jay Shepherd of Gruntled Employees has discovered that Ept managers lead to gruntled employees, which in turn lead to minishing profits.  (Wondering about the mangled words there?  Contrast with “inept,” “disgruntled,” and “diminishing.”)  Management and leadership (not the same skill set) matter in law firms as they do in other organizations.  As you advance, be sure to develop these skills along with your practice skills.  And learn how to manage “up” as well.  (I’ll cover “managing up” in another post soon.)

This week’s Blawg Review #125, hosted by Kevin O’Keefe of Real Lawyers Have Blogs, is all about the “art of blogging.”  If you’ve considered writing a blog, or if you’re just wondering what the hubbub is all about, this is a can’t-miss opportunity to learn from some of the best in the blogosphere.

Finally, congratulations to Bob Sutton, whose fantastic book The No Asshole Rule (which I reviewed here) has won the Quill Award for Best Business Book.  Congratulatiopns, Bob!  It’s a well-deserved honor.