Standing Tall: A Manager’s Guide to Becoming a Leader

Chapter 13: New Role

Two weeks later, Scarlett walked over to Dorothy’s office for a meeting. 

“Dorothy, thank you so much for all the help you provided me through the work with Jack. He was a wonderfully insightful guide and helped me to get my priorities in order.”
“Scarlett, I am glad to hear that. I have been hearing through many sources that you have been doing wonderfully over the last six months, and I have certainly seen the changes in you since we last spoke  As a result of all of your effort, I want to offer you a position of associate partner. It’s a new position that I’ve created, and I think you would be perfect for it. It would entail leading others through the process you went through to help them get the insight that you did, much like Jack did with you. Jack is retiring and I really want to begin to bring those skill sets in house. It is not quite partner, but a step up from where you are now. How do you feel about that?”
“Wow—I don’t know what to say other than I would love to! I really enjoyed the process, and it would help me to continue to build my relationships and trust levels with others here at the firm. But how will I be able to do it all?”
“Well, it means you will need to hire more people for your team so that you can focus some of your time on this.”
“Well, as you know, I backfilled Melissa and have found a really great admin. Also I did just hire one junior associate last week, and it’s early, but it’s been going really well. So I’m looking forward to hiring another. I’m starting to take my employees on client calls with me so they learn the ropes while seeing me in action instead of discussing these appointments after the fact. Also, my clients then get to know my employees and can start to trust them, which will be important if I have my junior associates working on cases with me.”
“That is perfect. I have a group I would like you to begin working with next month. Will that give you enough time to start putting your team and thoughts together?”
“Yes,” she said. “Dorothy, I don’t know how to thank you. You have helped me so much and have been such a wonderful mentor to me throughout the years.”
“It has been my pleasure. I love to see you growing into your own and knowing that you are becoming a great leader. I also love that you took control of your career and really went after what you wanted. Trust in yourself and your own inner voice; it will always guide you in the right direction. It was a lesson that I wished I had learned much earlier in my life. I didn’t trust my own voice for a long time, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to be a mentor, particularly to you. I saw a lot of myself in you and wanted to encourage you to really trust in who you are because I see your grace and dexterity as an attorney.” She said and smiled.
“Thank you, Dorothy.” Scarlett got up and gave her a hug. She was so grateful to have such a wonderful and encouraging mentor in her life. “I am going to seize this opportunity. I won’t let you down, and I know that it is going to help me to grow even more into my role as a leader. Thank you so much.”
“You are most welcome, Scarlett. I look forward to seeing how it is progressing.”


Scarlett left the office with a skip in her step. She couldn’t wait to call Lee and give him the good news so that they could celebrate!