Susan B Silverman Consulting

Episode 25: Once You Name Them

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Hal didn’t notice the change. He felt it, like grit in a machine that always ran smoothly. He attended meetings that dragged on and dealt with associates who talked too much. No one had the decency to ask him first. By the third time an associate used “options” instead of waiting for direction, Hal’s patience […]

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Episode 24: When Partners Start Noticing

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Ellen and Renee, partners at the firm, meet to review the progress of the associates in the pilot program. Before speaking, Renee closed the door behind her. Ellen was already seated, her jacket hanging over the back of the chair, reading on her phone. She looked up and smiled, the kind of smile that signaled […]

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Episode 23: When Judgment Becomes Visible

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Nothing about Anna’s day looked different. She faced the same matters, deadlines, and unspoken pressure to move quickly and avoid making mistakes. However, the way she navigated through it had changed. During a deal call late Monday afternoon, the conversation stalled at a familiar point, with two partners circling the same issue, each waiting for […]

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Episode 22: Inference Is Not a Plan

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Margaret scheduled her first check-in with Mei Chen for Week 3 of the pilot. By then, each associate would have completed their Business Development Strengths Inventory, attended the orientation, and had at least one interaction with their assigned mentor. It was early enough to identify patterns before they became fixed, but late enough that the […]

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Episode 21: Not from Nothing

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

The first workshop was set for Friday afternoon, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The invitation was specific: “Business Development Foundations: From Strengths to Strategy.” Anna arrived to find the same small conference room from the orientation. The six pilot associates were already seated. Susan stood at the front, with a woman Anna recognized beside her […]

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Episode 20: What the Firm Never Said

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Anna arrived five minutes early for her first mentorship meeting with David Chen, her partner mentor. She didn’t sit down immediately. Instead, she stood by the window in the small conference room, watching people cross the street below, all seemingly heading somewhere. She noticed how often she moved through her days without a clear sense […]

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Episode 19: What Was Already There

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Susan handed out a one-page overview. “The pilot has five core components,” she said. “Each one serves a specific purpose in your development.” Anna reviewed the page as Susan went through each element. Monthly Mentorship Meetings Six sessions for each associate. “Each of you will be paired with a partner mentor,” Susan explained. “You’ll meet […]

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Episode 18: When Silence Becomes Visible

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Anna knew this wasn’t a normal meeting the moment she walked in. The room was smaller than any conference room MSL usually used for “important” conversations. Six chairs and six notebooks. Water was already poured. No screen and no agenda posted on the wall. Anna quickly recognized nearly everyone. Carlos – a sixth-year litigator; always […]

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Episode 17: Choosing to Test the Future

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Jason didn’t call it a follow-up to the executive committee meeting. Instead, he asked Margaret to stop by his office, which indicated something to her. When she entered, Jason was standing rather than sitting behind his desk. Margaret sat down. Jason didn’t waste any time. “I want to be clear about where we landed,” he […]

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Episode 16: Mistaking Survival for Strategy

Susan B. Silverman, JD, MBA, ACC — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

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