In Part 7 of our series, 9 Lessons GCs Wish They’d Known Earlier, we explore why adaptability, innovation, and the willingness to embrace imperfection have become essential qualities for successful legal leaders.
7. Embracing change, innovation and perfection
The legal profession has traditionally valued certainty.
Lawyers are trained to identify risks, anticipate problems, and seek the most accurate answer possible. Yet the reality of modern business is that certainty is often in short supply.
Markets shift. Regulations evolve. Technologies emerge. Business priorities change.
In this environment, waiting for perfect information or a perfect solution can become a risk in itself.
The most effective General Counsel understand that leadership is not about always having the right answer. It is about making informed decisions, adapting when circumstances change, and maintaining momentum even in uncertain conditions.
“The environment changes all the time…don’t be afraid to rectify and correct.”
— Daniel Casal, General Counsel, Petrobras Operaciones S.A. (Argentina)
This mindset requires a willingness to let go of perfectionism.
Many experienced legal leaders reflect that some of their greatest lessons came not from getting everything right the first time, but from being willing to reassess, adjust course, and improve as new information emerged.
Adaptability is no longer simply a useful trait. It is becoming a core leadership capability.
At the same time, legal functions themselves are undergoing significant change.
The expectations placed on in-house teams continue to grow, while resources often remain constrained. Technology is reshaping workflows. Businesses expect faster responses, greater commercial awareness, and more efficient ways of delivering legal support.
Against this backdrop, standing still is rarely an option.
“Legal teams…need to evolve, change inefficiencies and lead change.”
— Christian Fahey, Deputy General Counsel & Senior Managing Director, Ankura (UK).
Increasingly, legal leaders are expected not only to respond to change, but to drive it.
This may mean embracing new technologies, redesigning processes, rethinking how legal services are delivered, or finding new ways to collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation.
It also means recognising that not every issue deserves the same level of attention.
One of the most valuable lessons many GCs learn over time is the importance of judgement – knowing where to invest energy, when to challenge, and when to let go.
The goal is not to eliminate every risk or win every argument.
The goal is to help the business move forward intelligently, focusing on the issues that matter most.
In practice, the legal leaders who thrive in fast-changing environments are often those who remain curious, open-minded, and willing to evolve.
They understand that leadership is not about achieving perfection.
It is about creating progress.
Key Takeaway:
In a rapidly changing world, adaptability is often a greater advantage than certainty.
This is Part 7 of our 9-part series: Lessons GCs Wish They’d Known Earlier
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