The GC-to-Board Playbook, with Executive Coach Anne Marie Segal

Anne Marie Segal spent 15 years as an attorney - at White and Case, a hedge and private equity fund, and her own firm - before becoming an executive coach to general counsel and senior executives across six continents. She knows what it takes to make the leap, and what holds most lawyers back from making it. In this episode, Cecilia and Anne Marie get into the psychology behind lawyer identity, why so many high achievers stay stuck, and what it looks like to grow beyond the legal function, whether that means taking on a board seat, building toward a CEO role, or starting something entirely new. Follow Anne: @Anne Marie Segal on LinkedIn segalcoaching.com You'll hear: Why the GC role is expanding faster than ever and what the best ones are doing about it The mindset shift lawyers have to make before they can get on a board (hint: you are not the GC on the board) How to know if you have a fatal flaw blocking your next move and what to do about it What AI is changing for junior lawyers, senior lawyers, and everyone in between The one question every lawyer should be asking themselves right now: what wouldn't you want to delegate? 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Anne Marie's "When Harry Met Sally" moment leaving law for coaching 04:06 The fear behind staying: money, identity, and worst-case scenarios 07:38 Anne Marie's career path: White and Case, hedge funds, and letting go 12:50 Shedding the lawyer identity without losing what makes you good 17:03 Why lawyers are uniquely valuable and what that actually means 18:45 The expanding GC role: 70% of Fortune 1000 GCs now own two or more functions 25:07 GCs and board seats: the mindset shift most lawyers miss 30:36 Fatal flaws and how to find yours before they find you 36:11 AI and the legal profession: what boards are asking and what students are getting wrong 40:53 Advice for junior lawyers: what wouldn't you want to delegate? 44:54 One thing every week: how to actually make the move 47:21 Lightning round: the book that shaped Anne Marie and what she wishes she'd known before law school Follow us on all social platforms to get each new episode when it drops. ⁠@Cecilia Ziniti⁠ on LinkedIn ⁠@CeciliaZin⁠ on Twitter/X ⁠@GC AI⁠ on LinkedIn @gcai on X ⁠gc.ai⁠ website