National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

WEBINAR: Storytelling as a Leadership Tool

Storytelling has been around for thousands of years. From ancient cave dwellings to the latest webinar series, stories have both fascinated and motivated humankind. Stories have always been a highly helpful tool to communicate a message, idea, or feeling. This is why the art of telling a thought-provoking story is an essential leadership skill in today’s world as it has been in times past.

The top legal technology trends of 2023

The past year has been one defined by unpredictability and economic uncertainty as well as the lasting impact of the pandemic on technology adoption and the emergence of generative artificial intelligence. In the wake of these developments, lawyers, traditionally tech-resistant, began to embrace advanced tools even as there was a sudden and marked downshift in legal technology investments and mergers.

WEBINAR: Using Behavioral Science to Improve Court Appearance Rates

While the majority of people make their required court appearances, the consequences of missed appearances quickly spiral for court users and the court system. Missed court appearances prevent cases from moving forward and waste the court’s time and resources. And even a single missed appearance can have dramatic consequences for court users, as bench warrants, jail, license suspensions, and fines can lead to loss of freedom, jobs, family stability, and more.

Employee Negativity is Like Wildfire: Leaders Need to Address It Before It Spreads

Knowing how to turn down the volume on negative group emotions when they become counterproductive is a critical skill for today’s court leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic showed just how consequential this type of leadership can be, particularly during a crisis. “The experience of negative emotions at the collective level is often amplified, which may have adverse effects [on an organization],” Goldenberg says. “In many cases, it can lead to suboptimal decisions, to irrational choices or, for example in the case of anxiety, to not waiting long enough for things to happen.”

Worthy of thankful reﬂection: The court system

When siblings are bickering, one will sometimes say, “You better stop it, or I’ll tell Mom!” Adults just say, “See you in court!” The sentiment is the same — there is an adult in the room somewhere, someone who will not take sides in ending ﬁghts and righting wrongs. And so, high on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving is something about which we often complain and usually take for granted — the court system. Courts are the adult in the room.

Making government (courts) an even better place for women to work

McKinsey & Company’s 2022 report found that women in the public and social sectors saw higher promotion rates than men: 107 women for every 100 men promoted. By contrast, only 87 women in the overall workforce were promoted for every 100 men. WOC in government saw a promotion rate from entry level to manager of 4.2 percent compared with 1.6 percent for all women. These findings indicate that while the public and social sectors make up a small proportion of all industries, they are setting a higher standard on the promotion to manager relative to other sectors.

Managers v. Leaders

If you were asked to imagine a manager, you might well conjure up someone comically boring, desk-bound and monotonal. Now do the same for a leader. You may well be picturing someone delivering a rousing speech. A horse may be involved. You almost certainly have different types in mind. There is indeed a distinction between managers and leaders, but it should not be overdone.

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NAPCO 2026