I’ve started dreading quick check-ins with partners because they’re never quick and rarely clear. I walk away more confused than before and too intimidated to ask for clarification. It’s like a game where you’re supposed to decode their tone instead of ask questions. How do you push for clarity without sounding incompetent?

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You need to stop being too intimidated to ask for clarification.

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"...and too intimidated to ask for clarification."

This is a you problem. You need to get out of your head about looking incompetent and ask the questions you need to ask to gain clarity as to what they want. That, in turn, will help you give them what they want, which will make you a more valuable asset.

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Follow up with an email to "confirm what we discussed." Ask any questions, and say things like
"just so I understand the intentions."

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Ask the question during the meeting. A little confidence goes a long way.

Unfortunately, human beings don’t become partners in law firms because they are great managers or have excellent mentoring or interpersonal skills outside of salesmanship. As a business, they are great for the fiscal bottom line but not for the intangibles. Luckily, for the business model, most associates are fungible.

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