Running a successful law practice demands more than legal expertise. It requires strategic decision-making about time, team, stress, and long-term goals. These challenges are unique to attorneys juggling billable hours, client expectations, ethical dilemmas and little time for life outside of the office.
That’s why Steve Riley developed the Growth Council Strategy. It began with a simple realization: the people around him, while supportive, couldn’t always help solve the kinds of problems he faced as a business owner, leader, and attorney. He needed a better way to think, especially when decisions got tough.
What is a Growth Council?
A Growth Council is a practical mental framework for building a personal board of advisors in your mind. These advisors can be real people you admire, like a mentor or colleague, or imagined figures whose perspectives you value, such as a historical leader like Abraham Lincoln offering wisdom on patience during a high-stakes case.
Steve drew inspiration from Napoleon Hill’s “invisible counselors” in Think and Grow Rich but tailored the concept for lawyers. Unlike Hill’s abstract idea, a Growth Council is a repeatable process designed to help attorneys pause, reflect, and approach decisions strategically, even under pressure. For example, Steve once debated putting payroll on credit cards because a settlement check hadn’t cleared yet. He called his dad for advice, but quickly realized his dad had never faced that kind of problem—he had never owned a business. That’s when Steve realized he needed to seek advice from people who had actually faced the kinds of challenges he was dealing with, and that is how the concept of a Growth Council came to mind.
To make this process actionable, Steve created a worksheet (shared below) to guide attorneys in selecting advisors and framing decisions. Listen to this episode of the Great Practice, Great Life podcast for an in-depth explanation of the Growth Council Strategy. Steve shares the reasons and steps behind the exercise in detail.
Why Lawyers Need the Growth Council Strategy
Attorneys face unique mental challenges: perfectionism, fear of costly mistakes, and the constant pressure of tight deadlines. These can cloud judgment, leading to reactive choices. Steve found that by naming these internal voices—doubt, stress, or ambition—and giving them a “seat at the table,” he could assess them objectively and respond with focus.
A Growth Council’s strength lies in helping you step back from this mental clutter. Whether deciding to hire an associate, negotiate a complex settlement, or carve out time for family, it provides a structured way to weigh options and align decisions with your goals.
The Power of Structured Reflection
The Growth Council doesn’t rely on finding wiser advisors; it unlocks the insights you already have. By imagining trusted perspectives, you create space to evaluate choices calmly. For instance, an attorney struggling to delegate tasks might consult an imagined advisor who emphasizes trust in their team, leading to a more efficient practice.
This approach is particularly valuable for attorneys, whose high-stakes decisions often leave little room for error. By slowing down and reflecting systematically, you can avoid frustration and build manageable practice.
Ready to Try the Growth Council Strategy?
We’ve created a free Growth Council worksheet to help you implement this strategy.
[Download the Growth Council Strategy Worksheet]
This resource will guide you through:
- Selecting your council of advisors (real or imagined)
- Framing decisions with targeted questions
- Reflecting on outcomes to refine your process
Dozens of attorneys have already used this tool to gain perspective on challenges like expanding their firms or managing work-life balance. For example, one lawyer credited the Growth Council Strategy with helping her confidently decline a misaligned client, freeing time for more rewarding cases.
No permission or preparation is needed, just a willingness to pause and reflect. Download the worksheet today and start building a more focused, streamlined law practice.
