Every leader has a secret weapon. Mine?
I call it knowing their currency.
In the legal world, our work is high-stakes and high-pressure. Deadlines are immovable, the details matter, and the clients we serve depend on our best work – every single time. But the truth is, even the most talented teams need motivation that goes beyond job descriptions and paychecks.
That’s where understanding someone’s “currency” comes in.
Currency is what truly motivates a person – what makes them want to go the extra mile. For some, it’s public recognition. For others, it’s professional growth opportunities. And for one law clerk I once worked with, it was … a morning cinnamon bun from the vending machine.
Here’s how it worked.
Every morning, “Vinnie” would walk by my office to drop his backpack at his desk and pass my office again within a few minutes as he headed straight for the break room. I knew “Vinnie” loved that cinnamon bun. So, whenever I had a project that I needed prioritized, I’d put my request on his desk – away from the pile of other assignments – and I would place that warm, spiral-shaped bribe (let’s call it an incentive) right on top. I’d add a quick handwritten note: Thanks in advance, looking forward to seeing your magic on this.
The result? My projects were always completed by midday. No chasing, no reminders, no stress. And he didn’t just deliver quickly, he delivered well.
Why does this matter for leaders, and for every member of a law firm team?
- It builds trust. When you recognize and honor someone’s motivators, they feel seen and valued.
- It increases productivity. People work harder and faster when they feel appreciated in ways that matter to them.
- It strengthens culture. When leaders practice this, it creates a ripple effect, team members start recognizing and respecting each other’s “currency” too.
In our field, the stakes are too high for leaders to assume that one-size-fits-all motivation works. Understanding your team’s currency doesn’t require a budget line item – it requires observation, listening, and a genuine desire to see each person thrive.
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So, here’s your challenge for the week: Look around your team. Figure out their currencies – big or small – and see how you can spend them wisely. Because when you pay people in the currency they value most, you’ll find the return on investment is unbeatable.
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As for “Vinnie”? That cinnamon-bun-loving law clerk is probably running a courtroom as a star attorney, sitting on the bench as a great judge, or maybe he is calling the shots in a corner office as a CEO. Wherever he is, I like to think those vending machine pastries helped fuel more than just his mornings, they fueled his momentum.
Know their currency. Spend it well. Watch them soar.
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