Forgetting You Are the Leverage

Adding onto the last point, remember you are the leverage for your employer. If you aren't adding value, you aren't doing a good job. At a big firm, this means you are adding dollars to partner pockets. If you are a public defender, you are giving time back to senior colleagues. As one person said to us, “You can make yourself valuable or irrelevant every time you complete a project.” While you are going to need to learn from senior people, you should not rely on them. They should rely on you. Don't assume they've done anything and be responsible.