On November 13–14, HGD Partner Erik Heninger attended the Crisp Game Changers Summit, a gathering of some of the brightest minds in leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, and law firm innovation. With speakers ranging from Olympic athletes to FBI negotiators, the event delivered more than inspiration—it offered a roadmap for how law firm leaders can drive growth, build stronger teams, and lead with purpose.
Here are the biggest takeaways Erik brought back to HGD Law:
1. Michael Mogill
Future-Proof Your Firm Michael Mogill opened the summit by breaking down what it takes to build a law firm that not only survives market shifts but thrives in any condition. He emphasized that future-proofing is about clarity of vision, making bold decisions early, and eliminating what no longer serves your mission. At HGD, this reinforced our focus on long-term strategy and investing in the infrastructure that supports growth and client-first service.
2. Robert Herjavec
Confidence Comes From Reps Shark Tank investor and entrepreneur Robert Herjavec shared how confidence is earned by walking through failure without losing enthusiasm. He spoke about pushing past perceived limits and how repetition is what transforms fear into strength. Erik noted how this parallels the mindset we aim to instill at HGD—one where resilience, preparation, and consistency fuel both client outcomes and internal leadership.
3. Dominique Dawes: Team-First Is Non-Negotiable
Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes brought an athlete’s perspective to firm building. She made it clear that “me, myself, and I” leadership caps an organization’s potential. Sustainable growth demands a team-first mindset—something HGD has long valued across its 16 attorneys and 30-person support team. Leadership, Dominique emphasized, is about lifting others up.
4. Steve Carse: Culture That Makes People Want to Show Up
Founder of King of Pops, Steve Carse, shared how culture can make or break a business. He illustrated how a workplace where people show up because they want to, not because they have to, drives real retention and innovation. For HGD, this underscored the importance of building a culture grounded in CIRCLE values: Client-Centered, Integrity-Driven, Respectful, Committed, Leadership-Oriented, and Excellence-Focused.
5. Jessica Mogill: Identifying Growth-Ready Team Members
Jessica Mogill introduced the Growth Readiness Audit, a framework for identifying which team members accelerate growth and which hold it back. Her talk emphasized honest evaluation and strategic alignment—a timely reminder that every hire and internal promotion should serve the broader mission of delivering excellent client experiences.
6. Kyle Maynard: Excuses Are Optional
Kyle Maynard closed the summit with a powerful message: the only real limits are the ones we accept. A congenital amputee who became a champion wrestler and mountain climber, Kyle’s story resonated deeply. Erik walked away with this reminder: radical ownership and accountability are what separate good firms from great ones.
7. Jesse Itzler: Live With Soul
Entrepreneur and endurance athlete Jesse Itzler talked about “emptying your tank” and living with soul. His challenge to the audience was simple: show up fully. Don’t coast. Erik reflected on how that mindset applies not just to business, but to leadership and client service.
8. Chris Voss
The Power of Tactical Empathy Former FBI lead hostage negotiator Chris Voss, author of Never Split the Difference, spoke about negotiation through the lens of empathy. His real-world experiences underscored that listening—really listening—is a superpower. In personal injury law, where the stakes are high and emotions often run deep, this message hit home.
9. Tony Hawk
Legacy Through Authenticity Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk spoke about building a movement in action sports by being unapologetically authentic. His message? Don’t chase trends—build community through consistency, creativity, and staying true to who you are. For Erik and HGD, it was a reminder to always lead with mission over marketing.
Conclusion
Bringing It All Home The Crisp Summit wasn’t just a conference—it was a reset. A challenge to think bigger, lead better, and serve clients at the highest possible level. For Erik and the entire team at HGD, the biggest takeaway was clear: the firms that win the future will be the ones that invest in people, lead with clarity, and stay relentlessly committed to doing the right thing.
Read more insights and reflections here.
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