On the morning of 25 October 1993 I put on a beautiful new Dolce & Gabbana tie (the last tie I ever bought), washed my car (at an automatic car wash of course) and with much excitement drove to my first day of work at the best new law firm established in Melbourne on that particular day. I was late, of course. My partner Jonathan Kenny was early.
Despite Jonathan’s best efforts to keep my enthusiasm levels elevated, upon my arrival to our shabby chic office (a most flattering description) I couldn’t help but think “what the f%&k had I done?”
But bless JK. He did everything he could to make me feel better. He swatted flies in my office, he tried to repair my broken down desk, he worked so hard to get the chord of the land line to reach my desk, and he even made me my morning coffee. Nescafe. Instant. By 11.30 I was preparing my resignation speech!
Yet here we are 31 years later. Feeling good, and grateful.
Yesterday when one of my all-time favourite colleagues congratulated me on our work anniversary, she highlighted the risks JK and I took way back then.
As it happens I spend much of my life thinking about risk. And that comment made me realize that the biggest risk we ever took was whether we could get high quality people to come on this journey with us. A journey of hope. A journey of determination. But a journey of uncertainty. Because whatever we have achieved over the past 31 years we would not have without the support of so many amazing colleagues who have given so much over so many years. And sure some of them aren’t with us anymore… that’s life right …but gee they gave us so much. To all of the KKI crew, including the many incredible people who continue to give, who continue to commit to our values, we are grateful to you beyond words.
When Jonathan and I started in that fly infested, broken down old office (though the rent was low) our guiding principles were that we wanted to enjoy working, to work with good quality people who cared about each other, and who aspired to deliver great outcomes for clients. And these principles continue to guide us. And sure we’re not perfect but we keep on aspiring. As do our incredible team mates, many of whom have so naturally become the new wonderful leaders of our firm. And that is so exciting.
As I see it, all those people who took risks joining us absolutely deserve to have the best possible careers and the best possible lives with our firm. Achieving both is such a challenge in the law. Especially for those who are primary carers. But I will always believe that it’s doable. With open discussions, understanding and good leadership a law firm should be a wonderful environment for people to have the careers and the lives they want. And I’m convinced that there is a good business case to be made for openly and vigorously pursuing those outcomes. But hey, it’s not easy. Jonathan and I had so much support back in the day. Certainly from our wives and also our children who were very young when we started but who’s ongoing support shouldn’t be underestimated. Today’s world is different. And support must come from different places. From leadership for sure. But also from teammates and, believe it or not, from clients. These are such important and powerful relationships. Making the most of them is the way to achieve great outcomes for everyone over long periods of time.
And whilst Jonathan most definitely deserves my thanks for the 31 years he has supported me as a partner and friend, when to my great embarrassment, my wife circulated to all our crew the wedding photo in this post, it seems that Jonathan – who in the photo is carrying me on a chair – has in fact been supporting me for 40 years! And as wonderful as he has been, that coffee he made in 1993 was the one and only I have ever let him make for me. No relationship is perfect!
