An Easy Check-In to Stop Second-Guessing Guidance to Lawyers
- Matt Plavnick
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Every day, marketers are asked to perform activities that lawyers expect will succeed. Often, we know, or sense, what might work better, yet we struggle to lead lawyers to embrace our conclusions. Unfortunately, this can turn contentious without intending it that way. Those moments of conflict can send marketers to dark places.
Second-guessing your guidance to lawyers is totally normal, yet taxing. Just think what you could spend that energy doing instead, and how much more satisfied you would feel.
Two Questions to Check In
Instead of second-guessing yourself, use a simple matrix to check in. If you are at loggerheads with a lawyer, ask two questions:
If what you recommend is at odds with what a lawyer wants, have you explored items you are willing to compromise on? Make a quick list of various points that would be nice but aren't necessary. Which of these can you bend on to make your suggestion more appealing to the lawyer?
If what the lawyer wants is at odds with what you recommend, what is it that you see that the lawyer doesn't? Why are you missing each other? Have you shown the lawyer evidence or otherwise demonstrated why your recommendation will be better than what they are asking for?
Takeaway
If you've missed one of these steps, then instead of second-guessing, put that energy toward exploring your options to compromise and opportunities to show instead of tell.
If you've already explored potential compromises and provided evidence to support your idea, stop second-guessing yourself. That does not mean your work is done; it does mean you are doing right by your client. Set your self-doubt aside. Instead:
Keep the conversation going, listen with curiosity, and ask wise questions to keep peeling back layers to give the lawyer what they really want in the ways you can deliver on with pride.
Consider other data points you could bring to the conversation to add further evidence to support your recommendations.
Consider other voices that may be able to support you and lead the lawyer to your desired approach.
Won't it feel better to know you've done what you can than to wonder if there's something more or different you could do?
