Attack Vulnerability - Deny Weakness

Lawyers have to take continuing education classes as part of their professional development. California requires its lawyers to take a class on substance abuse because the problem is common to this occupation. I watched my course online last October.

(I'm on the left.)

I took notes because I thought the presentation hilarious. Finding them very illuminating now.

Lawyers v. General Population:

As Pre-Law Students
Characterized by:

• Need for dominance and leadership
• More authoritarian
• Low interest in emotions and others' feelings
• Normal levels of psychological distress

Effects of Law School

• Increased aggression under stress
• Preference for competition
• Failure to rely on peers for social support
• Increased tension, insecurity, and substance abuse (confirmed by numerous studies)

As Lawyers

• Competitive, argumentative, aggressive
• Low interest in emotional concerns (theirs or others'); disproportionate preference for "thinking" versus "feeling"
• Higher incidence of distress and substance abuse
• Pessimistic outlook on life

Successful Lawyer Techniques	Successful Relationship Techniques
Win	Compromise
Cross-examine	Discuss
Avoid error	Admit mistakes
Argue	Concede
Attack vulnerability	Allow for vulnerability
Think for others	Respect partner's opinions
Deny weakness	Trust