Laurie Robinson Haden | Winter 2026
The role of today’s corporate legal leader is no longer confined to risk mitigation and regulatory compliance. You are expected to guide organizations through ambiguity, disruption, and rapid change—while still delivering sound legal judgment. Purpose-driven leadership is no longer optional; it is a strategic advantage.
Here are ten strategies that matter now:
- Anchor decisions in enterprise goals, not just legal outcomes.
- Translate risk into business language executives understand.
- Exercise judgment, not perfectionism, especially in fast-moving environments.
- Prioritize what truly matters—not every issue deserves equal weight.
- Build trust through consistency, not availability.
- Lead cross-functionally, recognizing that influence often matters more than authority.
- Develop your team’s business acumen, not just technical skill.
- Create psychological safety, so risks are surfaced early.
- Model ethical courage, particularly when pressure is highest.
- Invest in your own leadership growth, not just your team’s.
Purpose-driven leaders understand that legal excellence alone is insufficient. What distinguishes impactful leaders is their ability to balance risk, opportunity, and values—while helping the business move forward.
In a complex corporate environment, leadership is less about having all the answers and more about making thoughtful, principled decisions when the answers are unclear.