Welcome back to another series of the Black Lawyers Matter Podcast, brought to you by The Stephen James Partnership and Black Lawyers Matter!   In the first episode of Series 2, your host Samuel Clague, CEO and Founder of The Stephen James Partnership, speaks to Ed Poulton, Managing Partner at multinational law firm, Baker McKenzie.   Join Sam as he discusses Ed's inspiring career path from aspiring rugby player to Managing Partner.    Gain valuable career advice as Ed describes some of the challenges he faced early on, from proving himself as an associate in a new office to constantly seeking out opportunities to grow, even if outside his comfort zone.    Legal professionals at all stages will benefit from Ed's perspectives on developing leadership skills through self-awareness and empowering high-performing teams.   Those interested in building an inclusive culture will also appreciate Ed's thoughts on fostering an environment where people can be their authentic selves. The episode also provides useful guidance on gathering mentors both within and outside one's organisation to gain different perspectives.   Timestamped guide:   00:02 - Introduction to Ed Poulton 01:06 - Career paths, challenges, and international reach in law 06:41 - Professional growth, comfort zones, and leadership 12:27 - Leadership development, technology adoption, and workplace dynamics 19:44 - Navigating leadership challenges in the legal sector 27:19 - Empowerment and mentorship  35:41 - Mentorship, career development, and patience in law Connect with your host, Samuel Clague: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-clague-32911723/    Connect with your guest, Ed Poulton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-poulton-71080322/    If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe for more and share with others in your Network!   Explore more about The Stephen James Partnership here: https://thesjp.co.uk/   Learn about the Black Lawyers Matter mission here: https://thesjp.co.uk/diversity-programmes  And discover SJP's Search and Advisory arm here: https://stephenandjames.co.uk/