You’ve got to show up if you want to win.

In fact, you’ve got to show up if you even want to play.

It used to be that you needed to show up around the office if you wanted opportunities. Just being there was a good thing. When a partner had a project, it went to the associate who happened to be sitting at her desk. When a new client showed up, the work would likely go the attorney who was available at that moment.

Today, showing up is different.

The New Definition of Face Time

For example, in our firm, showing up largely means being present on Skype and Chatter. Skype, of course, is a messaging and communication system from Microsoft. We use it for most of our internal communication. I send and receive messages all day long on my laptop and my phone. It’s my primary tool for talking to the people working here.

Chatter is different. It’s a group conversation tool used largely for internal status messages. It’s kind of like using Facebook. Those who are online update their status all day long and get all kinds of responses. Sometimes the responses are helpful. Sometimes they are silly. It’s an ongoing dialogue that serves to exchange information and help employees bond.

Some of our team members are constantly on Skype and Chatter. They keep Skype open 24/7, and they update their status on Chatter as the day moves along.

Some of our people are rarely present. They rarely update on Chatter, and they often show up as “offline” on Skype.

Who gets the opportunities?

Obviously, the opportunities go to those who show up on Chatter and Skype. If we have leftover work that needs to be assigned, then we go looking for those “offline” folks and offer it to them. They get the remnants. The good stuff goes to those we can find. It goes to the people who are present.

• A new case comes along, maybe something with an emergency hearing coming up soon, and it goes to the attorney who’s online right now.
• A marketing opportunity comes in on the phone—today it was a reality TV show—and it goes to the attorney who’s online.
• A chance to work on an interesting project comes along, and it goes to the lawyer who’s logged in.

The online lawyers are engaging with others, building relationships, announcing their presence and availability, and generally being receptive to whatever comes their way. They’re ready, willing, and able to take on responsibility, so they get the best opportunities.

You’ve got to show up if you want to win.

Are You a No-Show?

Depending on the culture of your firm, showing up may mean being online, or it may still mean arriving early and leaving late. It might require other behaviors unique to your firm. You’re going to have to figure out what showing up means as it applies to your particular environment and situation.

Today, in a world with every conceivable method to connect with one another, the old rules still apply. You’ve got to show up if you want to win.