Lead Like a Founder – The Legal CEO Mindset

Episode Summary

In this episode of Obsessed with Success, attorney and entrepreneur Russell Morgan, founder and CEO of Morgan Legal Group, explores what it really takes to lead a law firm in today’s economy. From owning your team’s wins and losses to scaling operations while maintaining culture, Russell unpacks how leadership, accountability, and passion are essential ingredients to building a lasting legal business. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or managing a growing team, this episode will challenge your definition of success and leadership.

Key Timestamps 00:01 – Welcome to Obsessed with Success 01:35 – The Hardest Leadership Lesson: Accountability for Everything 04:20 – Why Law Firm Culture Starts with the Founder 06:05 – What It Means to Lead Like a Founder, Not Just a Manager 09:00 – Russel’s Philosophy: “Stagnation is Death” 10:40 – How to Keep Your Leadership Energy Consistent 12:55 – When Expansion Hurts Quality—and How to Prevent It 14:30 – Listening to Negative Feedback: The Path to Growth 17:05 – Balancing Skill and Passion When Hiring 19:15 – Why Passion Matters More Than Perfect Resumes 21:20 – Diagnosing Team Issues: Is It People, Systems, or Leadership? 23:10 – The Top-Down Approach to Solving Firm Problems 25:40 – Maintaining Open Communication at Every Level 27:00 – For Lawyers Who “Just Want to Practice Law”—Here’s the Truth 29:40 – The Real Cost of Private Practice (And What Most Don’t Understand) 31:30 – Learning from Peers, Mentors, and Trial-and-Error 33:00 – Leading by Example: What It Means Day-to-Day 35:05 – Culture, Integrity, and Keeping Your Team Invested 36:55 – Final Thoughts: Leadership Is the Backbone of Firm Success

About The Show Obsessed with Success features conversations with law firm founders, legal entrepreneurs, and business visionaries. The podcast delivers straight talk on what it really takes to scale a firm, lead with impact, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.