choose wisely from the start and avoid problems later.
by marc rosenberg
the rosenberg practice management library
what characteristics do you want someone to possess before you invite them to be a partner?
leading firms across the country generally choose from the following:
- trust: integrity, honesty and sound ethical behavior/judgment
- credibility with partners and staff
- active in practice development
- productive, with acceptable levels of realization
- a delegator
- effective at managing client relationships; inspires client confidence
- strong work ethic
- loyalty and commitment
- team player
- communication and interpersonal skills
- leadership skills
- reasonable amount of technical competence
- specializes in something important to the firm’s clients
if your partner group hasn’t dedicated time at a retreat to discuss what it means to be a partner and what is expected of a partner in your firm, you may want to consider doing this very worthwhile exercise.
whenever partners do this, there’s a typical outcome: after discussing the criteria for being a partner and writing them on a flipchart, the partners look at their criteria and conclude that not a single one of them qualifies to be a partner!
if firms pick their partners intelligently to begin with – people whose values, goals and capabilities are compatible with the existing partners – they will minimize conflict down the road.