Bill George joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on part 2 of this 2-part episode. In the second part of this discussion, Bill shifts the lens to the corporate boardroom, drawing from his experience serving on the boards of Target, Goldman Sachs, and ExxonMobil. He breaks down what boards actually look for today, why the first board seat is often the hardest to secure, and how executives should think about board service as both contribution and continued growth.

Takeaways:

• Corporate boards and a reflection on Bill's extensive career and leadership.

• Corporate Board Aspiration

1. How can I help this organization as a Board Member?
2. How can I learn from the experience?

• How do you qualify yourself to be sought after? How do you build your network with these goals in mind?

• The hardest board to get on is the first one.

• Managing an executive-level career and the mindset to be an impactful leader throughout your career.

Bill George joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on part 1 of this 2-part episode to discuss the evolving landscape of corporate management and the hiring process. They explore the pressures faced by corporate executives, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and the strategies for career advancement in today's job market. Bill emphasizes the need for managers to engage with their teams, the significance of workplace culture, and the impact of AI on the labor market. The conversation provides valuable insights for both executives and hiring managers.

Takeaways

• Corporate executives face unprecedented pressure from external and internal expectations.

• Employees today have higher expectations from their leadership than ever before.

• Bad management leads to high turnover; people leave bad managers, not companies.

• Promotion is based on performance and relationships, not just negotiation.

• The hiring landscape values emotional intelligence alongside intelligence.

• Compassionate leadership is becoming essential in modern management.

• AI will significantly impact the workforce, but its effectiveness depends on how it's used.

• Collaboration is key to innovation; remote work can hinder this.

• Job seekers should prioritize cultural fit over immediate compensation.

Seth Spitzer joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights. Seth is the Global Head of Outside Counsel Management and Operations at Citi. Prior to joining Citi roughly two years ago, he was a partner at Winston and Strawn, an AmLaw 50 law firm in New York. He shares valuable perspective on both the practice of law and the evolving operational role of corporate legal departments. Whether you’re a junior attorney, law firm partner, or in-house counsel, this episode offers practical guidance on navigating change, fostering strong teams, and leading with purpose. Highlights from this episode:

Legal operations is a dynamic, multifaceted field driven by strategy, relationships, and scale.

Key growth areas shaping the future of legal operations.

Exploring diverse career paths that lead to legal ops, because there’s no one-size-fits-all background.

Making a successful career transition through self-reflection and intention.

The role of work-life integration in sustaining a fulfilling career.

How mentorship and relationships fuel long-term success.

Insights on navigating the job search process.

Heather Stevenson, Jonah Perlin, and Matt Schwartz, three attorneys united by The Legal Mentor Network, share a strong commitment to building community through social media, networking, and mentoring, and join Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights. They explore how legal professionals navigate career transitions, leverage mentorship and networking, and embrace nontraditional paths while drawing on diverse experiences to foster meaningful connections and support others in the field.

Episode Highlights:

Nonlinear career paths can lead to success, and career pivots can open unexpected opportunities. Translating non-legal experience to law helps improve problem-solving, adaptability, and communication.

Leveraging social media for career growth can open doors. Posting insights, answering questions, and engaging online can lead to mentorship opportunities and unexpected career connections.

Authenticity in online presence fosters meaningful connections. Genuine, experience-based content that benefits people reading, builds a personal brand that can attract career opportunities over time.

Strategic networking provides long-term benefits. Some people are natural connectors, while others need to develop relationship-building skills. Building relationships early, especially in law school, pays off over time as professional connections evolve into key decision-makers.

What is the Legal Mentor Network? Scaling mentorship through innovation helps more professionals. The Legal Mentor Network provides mentees with mentors and expands beyond one-on-one support to career-focused events and networking opportunities.

This episode of Hiring Insights is sponsored by Job Lasso -- unlocking hidden talent and revolutionizing how top professionals and employers connect.

Kevin Lewis joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights. Kevin is the Chief Financial Officer at Hudl, where he draws on a diverse career spanning finance, technology, and agriculture. With global experience, private equity exposure, and a background that includes both fast-growing startups and established organizations, Kevin’s journey offers a unique perspective on building high-performing teams, thriving in high-growth environments, and collaborating effectively with boards. Highlights from this episode:

Career Navigation and Challenges

• Decision-making pitfalls, such as prioritizing short-term gains over long-term growth opportunities.

• Challenges faced in managing a nonlinear career path.

Industry Transitions and Adaptability

• Emphasizing transferable skills over industry-specific expertise.

Building and Leading Teams

• Key qualities and attributes sought when building finance and accounting teams.

• The significance of hiring for organizational fit and culture.

Evaluating Candidates and Red Flags in Hiring

• Methods to assess a candidate’s fit beyond technical qualifications.

• Spotting red flags in resumes and interviews.

Hiring in High-Growth Environments

• Adjusting hiring processes to meet the velocity of fast-growing companies or industries.

• Balancing the need for rapid hiring with maintaining team quality and fit.

Leadership and Cultural Fit

• Identifying leadership qualities that align with organizational culture.

• Prioritizing soft skills like communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

Strategic Board Engagement

• Maintaining transparency by presenting clear updates, including wins and areas needing improvement.

Talent as a Core Asset

• Emphasizing talent management, particularly in technology-driven organizations where human capital and intellectual property are critical.

• Prioritizing acquisitions of technology that integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructure.

Economic and Job Market Insights

• Highlighting the evolving nature of job markets with increased opportunities at senior levels for growing companies.

Interview Preparation and Career Transition

• Advising candidates to focus on storytelling—clearly articulating their experiences, passions, and fit for prospective roles.

• Stressing the importance of leveraging personal networks to uncover opportunities.

Michelle Comella sits down with Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights. Michelle is an attorney and certified professional coach working with AMLaw 25 firms, her current role is the Global Director of Career Services at McDermott Will & Emery, a program that she designed and launched in 2020. Prior to making the transition into coaching, Michelle was dedicated to practicing law, that is, until she realized that the responsibilities of a general counsel did not motivate her in the way she felt the right career should. With expertise from previous roles at Kirkland and Ellis, and companies such as Charles Schwab and Fidelity, her broad legal experience make her an invaluable resource for career guidance. Topics discussed in this episode:

Navigating Career Transitions: Michelle discusses the importance of understanding what one seeks in a career change, rather than only focusing on leaving a current role. She highlights the need to explore opportunities that fulfill new personal and professional aspirations.

Trends in Employment and Career Needs: Two prominent trends among professionals—employment gaps due to economic and personal reasons, and the increasing importance of cultural fit in career choices.

Networking and Personal Branding: Michelle emphasizes the value of networking and building a personal brand. She suggests using platforms like LinkedIn to showcase expertise, values, and professional interests, helping professionals remain connected and expand their career opportunities.

Approaching Networking in Job Searches: Networking can be intimidating and off-putting for some people. Subtle tactics to open the conversation to job searches without making a direct job request.

Using Social Media for Professional Networking: Present yourself authentically on LinkedIn.

Benefits of Leveraging Third Parties in Job Searches: Advantages of involving mentors, coaches, or talent advisors. These third parties can offer objective perspectives, help answer tough questions, and provide alternative interpretations to avoid negative assumptions during the job search process.

Handling Employment Gaps During Job Searches: Strategies for explaining resume gaps, especially during interviews.

Stewart Hirsch, a seasoned expert in the world of coaching and professional development, joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights to share insights into unlocking your career potential through the power of referrals, networking with confidence, developing the right leadership skills, and career advancement. Stewart practiced law for 21 years, in law firms and in-house, including TJX, Staples, Welch’s and others, developing extensive experience advising senior executives and leading business initiatives. As an executive and leadership coach, Stewart serves as a sounding board and strategic thought partner for C-Suite and other executives, assisting with communication and relationship-building. Having coached hundreds of lawyers and other professionals to increase business, Stewart brings a wealth of knowledge and insight. Topics discussed in this episode:

How do coaching services for executives and lawyers address the professional gaps they may be experiencing? What specific coaching areas can they benefit from, and what services can help them become more well-rounded individuals?

Beyond coaching and independent learning, people can use various other methods to grow and expand. Continually work to not only enhance skills and knowledge but also foster personal and professional development through diverse experiences and connections.

Leadership is often about inspiring. Some people think it's about managing and that can be part of it, there has to be some management work in there, but it's really about inspiring others and influencing others to do what is needed and creating a collaborative environment.

What does it look like to be a successful outside or in-house counsel?

We all are referral sources for each other, whether you call it that is in question, but you do it all the time. Referral sources are resources.

Networking: we must have the mindset of both caring and curiosity about other people, it’s a way of thinking.

Overcome fear or reluctance to network by taking the focus off of you. Focus on the other person. People like to talk about themselves.

How and why to use LinkedIn as a tool to connect or reconnect with people in your network.

Lisa Lang joins Mosah Fernandez Goodman on this episode of Hiring Insights to discuss her diverse legal background, career advancement, relationship building, and the benefits of utilizing social media. Lisa is the Vice President and General Counsel at Ohio Northern University, her varied background spans private practice, nonprofit, academia, and six years in the United States Army, first as a legal specialist and then as a legal non-commissioned officer. Lisa is an author and passionate about building community and being a resource as she shares her journey and experiences in the legal world. The topics discussed in this episode:

• “You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you always have to connect them looking backward.” Steve Jobs
• Don’t be so fixated on a specific goal, that you lose sight of opportunities that may exist right in front of you.
• The relationships that you build and develop are key to not only doing good work and having trust, but also for advancement and opening up opportunities.
• How do you develop a personal brand, a reputation and a persona outside of your organization?
• Opportunities that LinkedIn and social media can open up beyond finding a new role.
• If you’re utilizing LinkedIn, it’s not as much about the content you're posting, but the relationships that can be built from commenting and engaging with others.
• When building relationships, give without expecting anything in return.
• Career advancement isn’t always a straight climb up in title and pay, consider lateral moves that will provide experience for the long-term strategy.