Her birth, he told Lawyers Weekly, taught him that what provides him with purpose and meaning can and will change over the course of one’s life “and that a long-term sustainable career isn’t going to look the same for its entire course”.

“Like many, my experience of the COVID-19 pandemic – particularly lockdowns – presented another opportunity to reassess my values,” the King & Wood Mallesons senior associate reflected.

When Mr Millis refers to his quirks, he explained, he is talking about the idiosyncratic characteristics that make us the individuals that we are. Being able to project his full self, he said, is something that didn’t come naturally.

“We all have unique personalities, but also unique sets of values – being those things which give us meaning and purpose. I have realised that bringing my whole self to work means living by those values. When I was a junior lawyer, I was desperate to ‘fit’ and perhaps tried to be someone who I thought I was expected to be rather than being myself,” he recalled.

Ultimately, however, embracing who he is and allowing that to shine has been beneficial – both personally and professionally, he submitted.

“I believe that by embracing and living by my own values – for me, at the moment, this means prioritising the responsibility of parenting two young children – I can contribute to a culture that embraces and benefits from a diversity of approaches, as well as increase the sustainability and satisfaction I get from my work,” Mr Millis posited.

“I feel like I’m better able to bring perspective to my work and am better able to meet the challenges and pressures that work brings.”

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When asked what others could learn from his experience of fully embracing idiosyncrasies and why such an embrace can and will make one a better lawyer, Mr Millis said: “Understanding more clearly what gives me meaning and purpose has given me perspective on my work and what I need to nourish in order to have a sustainable career.

“I think it’s important for junior lawyers to recognise that there are many different courses that a successful and fulfilling career can take – sometimes something that feels like a step sideways or a time-out actually represents real progress, or a doorway to new opportunities.” 

Being more cognisant of one’s idiosyncrasies, he added, may be especially pertinent as we approach the post-pandemic new normal.

“For individuals, I believe being in touch with who you are, and understanding your values and living those values, gives you a really solid foundation for dealing with challenging times – they are the touchpoint to return to when things do get tough,” Mr Millis detailed.

“For organisations, it is imperative that people are supported to be themselves at work and pursue the values that are important to them – research supports the proposition that high-performing teams are those which embrace a diversity of people, with a range of experiences and views.”