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In-House Tip: Take on Stretch Assignments
• 27 Jun 25

"Growth happens outside your comfort zone—take on challenges that stretch your abilities." – Matthew Glynn (Managing Director, GLS Group)
Are you doing the kind of work that you want to be doing?
Are you volunteering for projects that push your limits and expand your skills?
Here’s why taking on stretch assignments is important:
◼️Skill Expansion: Learn new legal and business skills on the job.
◼️Increased Visibility: Get noticed by senior leaders for your initiative.
◼️Career Growth: Stretch assignments often lead to promotions.
◼️Confidence Boost: Successfully handling challenges builds self-assurance.
◼️Cross-Department Exposure: Work with different teams and broaden your network.
◼️Problem-Solving Ability: Develops critical thinking under pressure.
◼️Leadership Development: Prepares you for future management roles.
◼️Resilience Building: Learn to handle complexity and uncertainty.
◼️Strategic Insight: Gain a deeper understanding of company operations.
◼️Personal Fulfillment: Achieve a sense of accomplishment from tackling challenges.
There can be some very real downsides if you are not taking on stretch assignments:
◼️Stagnant skill set and limited growth.
◼️Reduced visibility and missed leadership opportunities.
◼️Lower confidence in handling complex legal matters.
◼️Narrow professional network and experience.
◼️Limited career progression within the organization.
Conclusion
Remember: The best in-house lawyers don’t avoid challenges—they seek them out and excel.