One of the biggest traps in business is believing you've already figured it out.
Ironically, the most successful business owners I've met tend to think the opposite.
They're still asking questions.
They're still listening.
They're still willing to challenge ideas they once believed were right.
Instead of becoming more rigid, experience has made them more curious. And this is something that didn't come naturally to me. I had to retrain the way I thought about running a business.
Like a lot of owners, I was looking for certainty.
I wanted someone to tell me the right way to grow, hire, market, lead… I thought if I could just figure out the formula, I’d be set.
Funny enough, every time I thought I'd finally figured it out, the business grew and the formula changed.
If you've been in business for any length of time, you've probably experienced the same thing.
What got you here doesn't always get you where you want to go next.
• The team that worked with 5 employees might not be the team you need at 20.
• The marketing strategy that filled your pipeline 3 years ago might not work today.
• Even the way you spend your time as the founder changes.
None of this means you're doing something wrong. It means your business is evolving.
A few years ago, I probably would've told you AI wasn't something I'd spend much time thinking about. Now I use it daily.
When we launched The Managing Partners, I just wanted to have better conversations with others in our industry. 500 episodes later and it's become one of the best ways I've built relationships with firm owners across the country.
When it came to hiring, I used to think experience was the biggest predictor of success. Now I care just as much about curiosity. Humility. Whether someone is willing to keep learning.
The longer I do this, the less interested I am in defending ideas just because they've worked before.
I'm much more interested in asking whether they're still the best way forward.
Some of the best decisions I've made weren't because I discovered some brand-new strategy. They happened because I was willing to let go of something I used to believe.
That's a lot harder than it sounds.
We all like being right.
As leaders, our confidence is part of what got us here in the first place. But confidence can quietly turn into stubbornness if we're not careful.
Those who continue to grow seem to know the difference, and Mason Rashtian is a great example of that.
Mason has spent nearly three decades practicing law. He began his career on the insurance defense side, representing homeowners, businesses, landlords, and others facing personal injury claims. About nine years into his career, he made the switch to representing plaintiffs, where he's spent the last two decades building The Mason Law Firm in Southern California. That experience on both sides of the courtroom still shapes the way he approaches his practice.
We covered referrals, marketing, content creation, building a business, you name it. But what I appreciated most (and what hopefully you will, too) is that Mason is someone who’s been doing this long enough to know there’s always something left to learn.
Before I go, I want to leave you with the same question that's been on my mind.
What's one thing you've completely changed your mind about since starting your firm?
Maybe it's marketing.
Maybe it's hiring.
Maybe it's AI.
Maybe it's the type of cases you take.
Maybe it's what success even looks like.
I’d love to hear your answer - shoot me an email at [email protected]. Until then, I’ll catch you next week.
--
Kevin
Join Our Peer Group for Law Firm Leaders
Running a law firm can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to. Connect with other managing partners focused on improving performance, accountability and growth.
Growth With You In Mind
A few other places where we share ideas, conversations, and resources:
Managing Partners Blog
Practical breakdowns on law firm growth, operations, and marketing strategies we’re seeing work right now.
→ Read the blog
Managing Partners Facebook Group
Join our FREE community of owners sharing what’s working inside their firms.
→ Join the group
Talk With Our Team
If you’re thinking about growth, marketing, or building the next stage of your firm, our team is always happy to connect.
→ Start a conversation


