June 2025

Building better relationships

When Legal teams are properly embedded in organisations, they help shape decisions and make valued contributions to results. So, what are the best ways to build these solid relationships?​

Randall Ingber (GC, Lion) and Rebecca Ward (GC, More Telecommunications) joined David Curtain to discuss how to assess, manage and optimise Legal’s relationships across the organisation, plus how to manage challenging dynamics when they arise.

One thing was crystal clear from the discussion: strong relationships aren’t just a by-product of legal work, they’re foundational to doing it well.  The best legal teams are deliberate about how they show up and connect across the business, investing time, curiosity, and intention into every interaction.

What does it take to build better relationships across the business? Here are six takeaways legal leaders can put into practice right now.

Relationship-building is not a soft skill—it’s a strategic priority
Be people-first, adapting to different personalities, and understanding what internal stakeholders truly need from legal (e.g. sounding board, problem-solver, risk gatekeeper, or ally).

Legal’s “brand” matters
Whether you’re brought in early on a project or only at a crisis point says a lot about how legal is perceived. Early involvement is a key indicator of trust and alignment.

Know your audience
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Great legal teams adapt their communication and working style to suit the needs, goals, and preferences of each executive or team.

Address tensions early
Open, respectful conversations, combined with a shared focus on business outcomes, are critical to resolving conflict and building trust long-term.

Informal moments help build trust
Relationship equity is built through consistent, everyday interactions like mentoring, training sessions, or even casual check-ins.

You can watch the complete webinar below.