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Some stressors strike like lightning – sharp, quick, and gone. Bringing one impact. But the dangerous stressors are the ones hitting all sides simultaneously – with multiple impacts.

Our new research with more than 350 corporate counsel reveals a new, insidious source of stress – one that now eclipses chaotic regulations, volatile litigation, and even sensitive M&A.

1 in 4 corporate counsel point to the unrealistic expectations placed on them by top management. This is up from virtually nothing over the last 5 years – including the pandemic years.

This shift signals deep and growing pressure inside corporate legal departments. It’s not about workload alone – it’s about identity, control, and consequence. Unrealistic expectations:

  • Defy the nature of high performers
  • Threaten identity and competence
  • Create a sense of lost control
  • Trigger fear of unwanted consequences
  • Strain relationships with senior management

These pressures compound – quietly shaping careers and driving decisions in ways few outside counsel recognize.

Outside Counsel Are Best Positioned to Help

Outside counsel are uniquely positioned to help reduce this stress – especially when they engage on the issues at the center of these expectations. Start by:

  • Asking about the expectations clients are under – then listen deeply
  • Helping put those expectations in perspective
  • Connecting clients with peers facing similar pressures
  • Offering practical, realistic steps to meet leadership demands

Few things are more valuable to clients than reducing stress.

The attorneys who help lighten this load will earn something rare and lasting – enduring trust for an entire career.

Best in the market ahead –

MBR
The Mad Clientist

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