In this episode of The Life Science Lawcast, Wendy Lloyd Goodwin is joined by Rebecca Clothier to discuss the relationship between in-house legal teams and their business stakeholders. Drawing on their experience in the pharmaceutical industry, they explore how lawyers can work effectively with different personalities and approaches. The episode focuses on practical ways to build strong working relationships and improve communication.
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The discussion centres on how in-house lawyers can manage stakeholder relationships in a collaborative and effective way. Wendy and Rebecca challenge the idea of “difficult stakeholders”, instead focusing on differences in perspective, role and communication style. They explore the importance of understanding the business, adapting communication, and building trust over time. The episode also considers how to handle resistance, manage expectations and reflect on your own approach when working with others.
Listen to Episode 2 of The Life Science Lawcast here or via your usual podcast platform.
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Different perspectives, not difficult stakeholders: Challenges often arise from differing roles, objectives and communication styles.
Understand the business: Gaining insight into stakeholder challenges improves collaboration.
Active listening is key: Taking time to listen builds trust and supports better outcomes.
Relationships take time: Strong stakeholder relationships are built through consistency, trust and understanding.
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1. Rethinking “difficult stakeholders”
Rebecca highlights that stakeholders are not inherently difficult, but may have different priorities or ways of working. Recognising this helps shift the focus towards understanding and adapting.
2. Communication and personality
Wendy discusses how different personality types respond to different communication styles. Being aware of this and adjusting your approach can improve how advice is received.
3. Overcoming resistance
Both speakers share experiences of situations where advice was not well received. Being open, allowing stakeholders to explain their concerns and addressing issues directly can help turn challenging situations into more constructive conversations.
4. Reflecting on your own approach
The discussion emphasises the importance of self-awareness. Lawyers should consider how their own communication style and approach may impact interactions and be open to adapting where needed.
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It’s more helpful to look at this from the point of view of managing stakeholders with different approaches.”
“A sign of a good lawyer is being able to explain very complex things in simple terms.”
“It takes time and patience… but it is a very useful tool for getting people on the same page.”
This episode highlights the importance of communication, adaptability and self-awareness in managing stakeholder relationships. By focusing on understanding and collaboration, in-house legal teams can build stronger, more effective partnerships within the business.
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