The surprising leadership trait that defines strong in-house legal leaders

While acknowledging that even difficult leaders can offer valuable lessons and foster growth, Nahum explained that soft power and kindness are the ultimate currency that truly define effective leadership.

“I think in some ways you can learn as much from a leader [who’s] tricky or more difficult than one [who’s] easy. But for me, the most important thing when it comes down to leadership is about, you know, soft power. Kindness is the ultimate currency,” she said.

Drawing on her own experience, Nahum reflected on working with both highly supportive and more challenging leaders, noting that these experiences reinforced the importance of kindness in shaping strong workplace relationships.

“I’ve seen the impact, I’ve lived the impact of working for very kind leaders, and I’ve also worked with really challenging leaders,” she said.

“But I think, ultimately, kindness sets a really important foundation for how you relate to people [who] you work with, people in your team, peers, [and] externals. It sets the tone of the relationship and puts you in a strong position when things become tougher.”

However, she acknowledged the challenge of consistently upholding these values in today’s rapidly shifting technological and workplace landscape, where change often brings difficult and challenging behaviours that leaders must confront head-on.

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“Look, we certainly are facing extremely tough circumstances at the moment with [technological landscape and shifting workplace arrangements]. I suppose it’s no secret there [are] large-scale organisations, change in the midst of it,” she said.

“I think change flushes out a lot of behaviours in people that are tricky and problematic and are tough to face.”

Despite these pressures, Nahum emphasised that it is in challenging times that legal leaders must lead with kindness and respect, not only to navigate difficult outcomes effectively but also to safeguard the wellbeing of their teams.

“There’s increasing expectation and pressure on leaders to face into that and take care of their teams,” she said.

“But I think, ultimately, it is in these times that you really have to return to those core values of kindness, of respect, of keeping yourself authentic in the way that you deal with people, because that is the only way that you will navigate your way through difficult, challenging times.”