Lawyers, what drives you?

What’s Driving You?

City law is intense. London lawyers are no stranger to the relentless pace, high pressure, and long hours. But what’s truly driving you day-to-day? Yes, external motivations like achieving partner status, hitting financial goals, or planning a well-earned escape to the Amalfi Coast keep you going. Yet beneath those goals lie deeper, universal “Drivers” that shape how we behave—especially when the pressure is on.

Recognising these Drivers is crucial. While in small amounts they can be useful and bring benefits, when pushed into overdrive, they can become obstacles. The good news? By spotting your Drivers and understanding the script they reveal, you can start to take control.

The 5 Drivers

1. Be Perfect
The “Be Perfect” Driver tells us we’re only okay if we get everything exactly right. As lawyers, this Driver can be an asset—precision, detail, and accuracy are essential in your field. But when it spirals, it can lead to perfectionism over pragmatism and at times, prove very uncommercial. It can also be a recipe for burnout.

Example: Sarah, a senior associate, would meticulously proof read every clause in every contract late into the night. While this ensured accuracy, her failure to delegate often left her drained and delayed deadlines, frustrating both her team and her clients.

2. Be Strong
If you feel the need to hide your emotions and maintain a stoic front, the “Be Strong” Driver is at play. It tells us we’re only okay if we show no "weakness"—a script that’s common in the high-pressure world of City law.

Example: David, a partner, prided himself on being unflappable. He avoided sharing his struggles with his team, believing that leadership meant showing no cracks. Over time, this “Be Strong” mindset isolated him and made it harder to build trust with colleagues as they couldn't see the human behind the mask. He hid his anxiety and irritations, but also his joy.

3. Please Others
Lawyers who thrive on client satisfaction may find themselves driven by the “Please Others” script. This Driver tells us we’re only okay if everyone around us is pleased—a mindset that can lead to overpromising and underdelivering.

Example: Lisa, an associate at a Magic Circle firm, never said no to clients. She would agree to tight deadlines and excessive demands, often at the expense of her own well-being and the team’s capacity. It also sometimes lost her credibility when she shelved her own opinions and insights in a bid to please people.

4. Try Hard
The “Try Hard” Driver convinces us that effort itself is what matters—not necessarily results. While hard work is a given in law, this Driver can trap you in a cycle of exertion without real progress.

Example: Jack, a mid-level associate, was known for his enthusiasm. Yet he struggled to finish tasks to the same level, or at all, often petering off, overcomplicating tasks or revisiting the same issue repeatedly. His “Try Hard” behaviour left him and others frustrated and stalled progression in his career.

5. Hurry Up
The “Hurry Up” Driver thrives in the fast-paced world of City law. This Driver makes us feel we’re only okay if we move as fast as possible—a mindset that can lead to rushed decisions or burnout.

Example: Mia, a corporate lawyer, constantly raced through her workload. She believed speed was a sign of competence but often overlooked details, leading to unnecessary mistakes and corrections.

Spotting the Patterns

Take a moment to reflect: Are you the perfectionist who won’t let a document leave your desk until it’s flawless? The stoic partner who carries the weight of leadership alone? Or the associate rushing to meet every deadline, no matter the cost?

It may be time to act. For example:

• If your “Be Perfect” mindset is making you miss deadlines, remind yourself that good enough can often be just that—good enough.

• If “Please Others” is driving you to overcommit, practise setting boundaries with clients and colleagues. It’s ok to say no sometimes.

Take Control of the Wheel

Which Driver is steering your career?

Recognising your Drivers is the first step toward taking control. By noticing the scripts you’re running, you can consciously decide when to shift gears.

Because while these Drivers can have upsides, helping us towards success, they don’t need to define us. In the high-pressure world of City law, learning to spot and manage them is key to sustainable success — and sanity.

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