What are the lessons General Counsel wish they’d known earlier in their careers? From conversations with legal leaders across industries and geographies, nine themes consistently emerged – redefining what it takes to succeed in-house today. In Part 2 of this series, we explore the growing importance of business acumen in shaping legal impact.
2. The power of business acumen
For many lawyers, the early focus is clear: build deep legal expertise and apply it rigorously.
But as the in-house role evolves, it becomes increasingly clear that legal knowledge alone is not enough.
To be effective, General Counsel must understand the business they support – how it operates, what drives it, and where its priorities lie.
“The true value a General Counsel brings lies not just in providing sound legal advice, but in deeply understanding the business and aligning legal strategies with the company’s broader objectives.”
— Juan Camilo Castro Salcedo, Deputy General Counsel, McKinsey & Company (Colombia)
This shift moves legal from the periphery of decision-making to its centre.
Instead of advising in isolation, the GC becomes embedded in the business – able to anticipate challenges, align with strategy, and contribute to outcomes that extend beyond legal risk.
“A general counsel is a business partner.”
— Faz Hussen, General Counsel and Head Legal Govt Relations & Sustainability, McDonald’s (Singapore)
Developing this level of understanding requires intent. It means engaging beyond the legal function – building relationships across teams, learning the commercial drivers of the organisation, and speaking the language of the business.
Ultimately, the most effective GCs are not those who simply understand the law, but those who understand how the business works – and how legal can help it succeed.
Key Takeaway:
The closer you are to the business, the more valuable your advice becomes.
This is Part 2 of our 9-part series: Lessons GCs Wish They’d Known Earlier
← Previous: Legal Expertise Is Only the Starting Point
→ Next: Relationships Are the Real Currency
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