Key insights

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1. Trust is built through consistency, not perfection
Joelle emphasizes that leaders don’t earn trust by always being right, but by being reliable. Teams and executives need to know how legal will show up — thoughtful, principled, and steady — especially when decisions are hard. Over time, that consistency matters more than any single call.

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2. Legal influence comes from understanding the business context
Legal advice lands differently when it’s grounded in business reality. Joelle explains that legal leaders gain credibility when they understand commercial goals, timelines, and trade-offs. That context allows legal to shape decisions early instead of reacting at the end.

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3. Judgment scales better than rules
In complex organizations, not everything can be solved with policies. Joelle highlights the importance of hiring and developing lawyers who can exercise judgment, not just follow playbooks. Strong judgment allows teams to move faster without increasing risk.

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4. Saying “no” is rarely the most effective first response
Rather than defaulting to blockers, Joelle encourages legal leaders to reframe conversations around risk, options, and consequences. When legal presents paths forward instead of dead ends, the business listens — and brings legal in earlier next time.

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5. Leadership requires emotional intelligence, not just legal expertise
Managing people through ambiguity requires empathy. Joelle notes that legal leaders must recognize burnout, uncertainty, and pressure — especially during periods of growth or change. Human leadership builds resilient teams.

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6. Closing insight

For GCs, influence isn’t granted — it’s earned through trust, context, and judgment. Joelle’s lessons are a reminder that the strongest legal leaders don’t just know the law — they know their people and their business.