Strategic Thinking As A Lawyer In An AI-Driven World

How Regular Reflection And Scenario Planning Can Help Lawyers Stay Proactive, Adaptive And Ahead

I am a great believer in setting aside time to reflect on the future.

I also like to keep future planning simple.

Once a week, I sit quietly in a café with my day book and think bigger picture.

This is my hour to reconnect with what’s working, what’s not, and where I want to go - both personally and professionally.

I check in on what needs my focus this week.

I note what I want to keep building this month.

I revisit the bigger things that matter this quarter.

That’s it.

It may surprise some, but I believe less is more when it comes to planning.

For me, a few focused months can achieve much more than a few frantic days.

The above routine keeps me grounded, honest, and strategic.

My suggestion to you?

Find the version of my routine that works for you - because sitting aimless in a rut every day is not a plan for the future.

You need to make future focused planning a part of your life.

Thinking In Short Term Horizons

As far as I’m concerned though, apart from the regular what is coming in the next few weeks or month type of reflection, I keep my longer-term futures planning to 1, 3, and 5 years ahead.

Beyond that, too much is uncertain for it to be really useful.

Instead, I try envisage a variety of different scenarios into the future and then how things might pan out in different ways so I prepare myself to adapt accordingly.

Sounds simple, well it’s meant to be.

Tech, Tech And More Tech At The Core

The reality of my future focus nowadays is largely shaped by the impact of technology, more tech, and then even more tech.

I place less emphasis on the more routine things I do, and more on the areas of greater complexity.

Tech is the main reason for this.

For me, it’s all about looking at patterns, signals, and trends that provide learning and experimenting opportunities for me, in my work.

These allow me to experiment, innovate, and adapt how I’m working. And then I just repeat the process.

At the moment, I have a strong focus on AI - front and centre. Its impact and non-impact on my work.

My overall aim is to stay proactive in solving problems, not just reacting to them.

Procrastination and inaction are no longer options.

I look to move forward, experiment, and adapt because that’s how progress is made.

For me the future is about thinking ahead, reflecting soundly, considering the options and not standing still.

Paul Ippolito is Principal of Ippolito Advisory. He is a legal futurist, lawyer coach and consultant to the legal profession. Paul is available for media enquiries, speaking and consulting. You can contact him here.