A PARTNERSHIP LEADERSHIP DIAGNOSTIC
A confidential, reflective self assessment built from the ground up for the realities of partnership and the shift from legal expert to leader.
01What it is
Where you are now. Where to focus next.
This is not a generic leadership diagnostic adapted for lawyers. It is a leadership diagnostic designed from the ground up for the realities of partnership, the commercial pressures, the client relationships, regulatory weight and the shift from legal expert to leader.
A confidential, reflective self assessment for partners in law firms and those on the partnership track. In around 20 minutes it builds a clear picture of where you are now across seven leadership domains, aligned to a typical partner competency framework.
On completion you receive a personalised, branded results report tailored to your responses, your career level and your scores — combined with practical development actions, a 30, 60 and 90 day action plan, and curated reading. You’ll also receive development prompts over the following 90 days to help you act on what you learn.
—The Framework
How clearly you understand yourself as a leader, how deliberately you lead, and how consistently your behaviour reflects your values under pressure. It looks at whether you are actively developing as a leader and making the shift from legal expert to leader.
How effectively you invest in those around you, how well you understand what drives them, and how you delegate. How honestly you give feedback, and how directly you address underperformance and conduct issues. How you create a culture for success.
How well you understand and can interpret firm financials, what drives profitability, how actively you manage the financial performance of your work, and how confidently you engage in commercial conversations, including the uncomfortable ones.
How deliberately you develop your client, referrer and professional networks, how well you position yourself as a trusted advisor, and how actively you build your external profile, including the role you play in building Business Development capability in others.
How you lead on building a positive risk and compliance culture, how proactively you handle difficult situations, how promptly you act on issues, and how consistently you model integrity especially when it is commercially inconvenient.
How actively you contribute to the strategic direction of your firm, how prepared you are for the impact of AI on legal practice, and how consciously you consider your wider responsibilities; ethics, environmental and social impact, governance, liability and client trust.
How deliberately you create space for diverse perspectives, championing equality and inclusion, and how actively you adapt to individuals' needs as a leader whilst investing in the next generation.
02Who it's for
The Partnership Leadership Diagnostic has been specifically designed for lawyers and law firms seeking to develop leadership capability, accelerate progression to partnership, and strengthen firm wide performance. Every participant receives insights relevant to their level of responsibility, influence and leadership experience.
03How it's different
The Partnership Leadership Diagnostic does more than measure leadership capability. It provides a structured framework for ongoing professional development throughout the partnership journey.
Grounded in the realities of partner competency frameworks and informed by the principles of continuing regulatory competence, the diagnostic helps lawyers identify their strengths and their most important development priorities. Every recommendation is aligned to career stage, relevant, achievable and proportionate. It creates a structured opportunity for regular reflection on practice, helping lawyers identify their own learning and development needs in alignment with SRA recommendations.
The resulting report can be used to support professional development reviews, career planning conversations, leadership development discussions and competency reflection within the firm. Most importantly, the diagnostic is designed to move beyond insight alone, through practical recommendations and structured action planning.
04For individual lawyers
A clear understanding of your current leadership strengths, development priorities and readiness for the next stage of your career. Whether you are preparing for partnership or seeking to enhance your impact as an established partner, the assessment creates a personalised roadmap to support your progression.
05For law firms
Commission the diagnostic across associates, legal directors and partners to strengthen partner performance, support succession planning and invest in personalised development beyond technical excellence. Each participant receives their confidential report; firms may also receive an additional collated firm report highlighting collective strengths, recurring development needs and a clear evidence base for future leadership investment.
06Investment
Purchase online, or get in touch directly for a firm package or invoice.
Individual Lawyer
Best for individual lawyers seeking to accelerate their development and prepare for the next stage of their career.
Optional one-to-one leadership debrief: £295 + VAT per participant
For additional extras email michelle@michellehoward.co.uk
Law Firm Package
Firms wishing to develop leadership capability across associates, legal directors and partners.
Additional participants: £95 + VAT per person
Optional one-to-one leadership debrief: £295 + VAT per participant
Additional collated firm report: £450 + VAT
For additional extras email michelle@michellehoward.co.uk
Get in touch: michelle@michellehoward.co.uk
—For Legal Recruiters & Executive Search
The Partnership Leadership Diagnostic is available to a limited number of legal recruitment and executive search firms each year under an annual B2B licence. Designed specifically for lawyers heading to partner level, it gives your candidates a confidential, structured view of their own leadership strengths and growth areas; a professional development resource that supports successful transitions, leadership growth and long term success.
Limited number of licences available
Extend your role from introducing candidates to becoming a trusted adviser invested in their long term career success; a clear point of difference in a competitive market.
Moving firm or stepping into partnership brings new expectations. The diagnostic helps candidates identify the leadership capabilities they need to establish themselves and settle successfully in their new role.
Move beyond career progression alone into meaningful discussions about leadership, commercial growth and long term aspirations with shortlisted lateral candidates.
Personalised 30, 60 and 90 day action plans help candidates think and speak like law firm partners, not senior employees.
A reflective tool for personal growth. Candidate responses remain private, so answers are honest and considered - a development resource, not an assessment or selection tool.
Investing in candidate development demonstrates a genuine commitment to helping firms build high performing leadership teams — supporting retention and reinforcing your reputation as a strategic partner.
To register interest or discuss licence tiers, please get in touch at michelle@michellehoward.co.uk.
07How it works
Purchase online, or contact directly for a firm package or to book directly
Receive your personal access link within 48 hours
Complete the diagnostic in approximately 20–25 minutes
If you have selected an optional one to one debrief or firm report, arrangements will be made within 48 hours following purchase
Twenty minutes of honest reflection. Ninety days of structured development. One clearer path through partnership.
Start Here
Find out more about the Next Gen Partner Alliance, Leadership for a New Era of Law Firm Partnership.
For further information
michelle@michellehoward.co.uk