In the first episode of a new podcast series called ‘Future Shapers: Next-Gen Leadership Stories’, launched by global consulting firm BRG, Stewarts partner Alex Lerner joined BRG’s Matthew McSheaffrey to discuss themes of leadership, teamwork and mentorship while sharing their stories and reflecting on their own professional journeys.
Alex’s expertise encompasses mis-selling, fraud, professional negligence and shareholder/M&A disputes. He also has deep experience acting for both claimants and defendants in high-profile group litigation. He is listed in legal directory the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and Key Lawyer for professional negligence, and as a Key Lawyer for group litigation. Alex joined Stewarts in 2020 and became a partner at the firm in 2023.
In the podcast Alex and Matthew discuss Simon Sinek’s influential books Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last. They explore how a clear sense of purpose helps to shape a meaningful career, and the view of leadership as a service dedicated to advancing the growth and success of others.
As part of the discussion, Alex summarises Sinek’s ‘Golden Circle’ concept, a model of three rings to guide decision making. This always starts with ‘Why’, and the importance of determining why to do a thing before getting started; followed by ‘How’, to ensure the ‘Why’ is manifested once the action is taken; and concluding with ‘What’, the actions themselves. Alex also discusses the impact of Sinek’s Start With Why on his leadership style, highlighting the need for leaders to inspire both clients and internal teams by articulating their mission clearly.
The podcast also covers themes of mentorship, and the importance this can have as lawyers develop their careers. Alex’s advice to mentees includes identifying their personal ‘Why’, learning to ‘work smart’ as well as hard, achieving confidence in leading, as well as identifying certain behaviours for junior lawyers to avoid.
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