Show Notes:

Betting on yourself beats waiting on approval. Michael shares why he chose to take full ownership of his success and failure. “If it didn’t work out, I wanted it to be all my fault.”

Your story is your strongest differentiator. Most lawyers struggle to stand out because they forget the reason they started. “Why you became a lawyer — that’s your message. That’s what sets you apart.”

You can’t outspend Goliath, so outsmart him. Instead of playing the same game as market leaders, Michael suggests a smarter path. “I wouldn’t compete with a massive TV advertiser on TV. You’ve got to go in a different direction.”

Do what no one else is willing to do. When resources are limited, effort and creativity become your best assets. “Whatever other people aren’t willing to do — that’s what will differentiate you.”

The future belongs to the AI-enabled. Michael urges law firm owners to embrace the tools that will shape tomorrow’s market. “If you’re not leveraging AI now, you’ll be irrelevant later.”

You don’t have to figure it out alone. Experience is a slow, expensive teacher — and there’s a better way. “The most painful and slow way to learn is through experience — and it doesn’t have to be that way.”