That’s what an excecutive coach, Sergiu Simmel, once said to me—and it really stuck.
Just like therapists need therapists and lawyers need lawyers, even coaches need coaches.
Over the years, I’ve worked with four different coaches, and I now belong to a peer group of coaches who meet regularly to share challenges and ideas.
Each time, I’ve gained perspective that I simply couldn’t have gotten on my own.
For lawyers, that kind of outside perspective can be transformative but also hard to seek. Vulnerability doesn’t come easily to most lawyers. We’re trained to have answers, to project confidence, to stay in control.
Reaching out for help, whether it’s about your career, your marketing, or your mental health, can feel risky.
But here’s the truth: no one succeeds alone. Coaching can help you move your career forward and find greater satisfaction in your work. And if what you’re struggling with is deeper (e.g. stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, or substance use) there’s confidential help available.
In my state, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Massachusetts offers free and confidential support for lawyers, law students, and judges. If you’re outside Massachusetts, your state likely has a similar Lawyers Assistance Program.
Whether it’s a coach or a counselor, reaching out for help isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom and strength.