The Powers That Be Are Praising You - Be a SmartAleck and Demand a Jerky Treat

 Praise, like gifts, should be viewed with suspicion. Especially if is handed out in law firms by partners to associates. 

Essentially, experienced players from the world of Big Law will tell you this: Praise is the standard tool some partners use to have associates remain motivated and to continue staying there until no longer needed. It is in the total self-interest of the law firm to do that.

I tend to think of that praise ritual as analgous to handling dogs. Yes, we exude "Good Dog" and the four-legged creature becomes our total servant. 

The joke I would like to have circulating around Big Law is for partners to wrap up the bit of praise with a jerky treat. Some wiseass can pen a satire about the myriad flavors of jerky treats available at Law Firm X and leak it to Abovethelaw for the Morning Docket. The headline could read "All Good Dogs Get Choice of Jerky-Treat Flavor." The subhead could ask: "But, Are You a Good Dog?'

Connect with Editor-in-Chief Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com. Conjure up magical results in your communications.

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