If you doubt yourself or you’ve taken the wrong turn, then there’s a lot of nuggets of wisdom you’ll get when you tune in to this episode of The Tutor Podcast.

Today, Neil sits with Chris Plumley, a partner-lawyer at Trowers & Hamlins, to talk about humble beginnings, social mobility, diversity inclusion, importance of coaching & mentoring among other stuff. He also talks about his experience working in a shipyard while attending night school and how his co-workers’ bad impressions about his life plans didn’t stop him from being what he is today. Chris’ journey to becoming a corporate lawyer should be motivating for all of us to finally kick-start the journey towards the goal we want to!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• “The only way I’m gonna get out of this is to do something different.” Chris’ parents were divorced when he was a kid. This affected his schooling. He started not attending school and decided to work as a shipyard plumber. In the course of it, he realized he doesn’t like what he’s doing so he enrolled for night school. He finished night school and his apprenticeship in the shipyard, so he enrolled in a university. From then on, he sought to pursue a law career.
• Being ostracized for moving up. When his co-workers in the shipyard found out that he’s not going to stay as a plumber, they treated him badly. They kept saying that Chris is taking a good job from someone who could’ve been a very good plumber. He was bullied.
• Working in the shipyard is a microcosm of social mobility. It was a dying industry. The core staff would retain but the temporary staff would go. There was too much free time and there was nothing to do.
• Diversity inclusion program within the firm. He and his partners are trying to work out within the organization what contributions to make. Some are reluctant to tell their humble beginnings before they became lawyers. He says to learn to accept your background.

There’s a lot happening. It’s horrifying to hear people facing discrimination every day.

• Having a mentor. Chris admits that he sometimes suffers from impostor syndrome. When a work, whether it’s transactional or leading a group, it’s hard to get motivated. But, you have to get moving for your team.
• Chris knows what causes and triggers such unwanted behaviours. He tries not to get worked up and get very tired. He used post-its to remind him of he should act whenever.
• Having consistent behaviour. Chris undergoes coaching to work on his mechanisms to have a consistent behaviour. People you interact with also need a consistent and genuine characteristic, especially when doing business.

BEST MOMENTS

• “Accept your background. Accept where you’ve come from. Let your baggage go.”
• “The trick is not to beat yourself up.”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Thomson Reuters Transformation of Women's Leadership in the Law
• Marie Furie|The Beyond Partnership

ABOUT THE HOST

Neil Cowmeadow is a maverick peripatetic guitar teacher from Telford with over 19 years of experience in the business of helping people. Learn how to start, grow and love your business with Neil’s invaluable advice and tips without the buzzwords and BS!

ABOUT THE GUEST

Chris Plumley is a partner in the Trowers & Hamlins Real Estate team and specialises in large-scale public regeneration and mixed-used development projects. He is a published author contributing to Lexis Nexis, The Encyclopaedia of Local Authority Companies and Partnerships, The MJ, and localgovernementlawyer.com. He is also an advisory board member for Thomson Reuters Transformation of Women's Leadership in the Law.

CONTACTS

Chris Plumley

• Chris’ LinkedIn
• Trowers & Hamlins

Neil Cowmeadow

• Neil’s Facebook
• Neil’s webpage