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Starting a training contract can feel a bit like standing at the bottom of a mountain; there are a hundred new tasks to master and not enough hours in the working day. The comfort of classroom learning is behind you, and you are now navigating a professional environment, with real clients.
Implementing the theory of marginal gains is a great method to break down tasks and processes to ensure you are continuously improving. It is a mindset I am trying to adopt, and while I am still learning how to apply it consistently, it has already helped me take control of my learning development.
The accumulation of marginal gains is the concept of making small, incremental improvements to create an overall significant impact.
The theory is widely adopted in competitive environments and was advocated by Sir David Brailsford. His implementation of the theory during his management of British Cycling led to the team’s unprecedented success, where they won eight gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Following which, Brailsford went on to lead the first British cyclists to win the Tour de France in 2012.
Despite originating in sports, the theory can be applied in the legal sector and is a useful tool to apply when tackling the SQE and training as a solicitor. As a trainee, I have found it particularly helpful to apply the marginal gains theory when approaching new tasks and unfamiliar legal concepts as it enables me to measure my improvements and identify weaknesses in a manageable and approachable way.
The theory of marginal gains can be broken down into three practical steps:
Step 1: Identify each component part of the task.
For example, drafting a new document involves numerous micro-processes and skills, including legal knowledge, file management, grammatical accuracy, communication, accurate time-recording, and an understanding of the client’s specific legal and commercial objectives.
Step 2: Scrutinise each component and seek a small incremental improvement.
Instead of aiming to improve your drafting skill as a whole, focusing on the micro-processes to improve efficiency and quality.
Step 3: Reflect on the accumulated gain and compound effect.
A few examples of marginal gains I have tried to implement are:
- Using and creating templates and precedents to improve consistency and efficiency in email, correspondence and document drafting;
- Applying a consistent filing process to improve efficiency when locating documents;
- Introducing a proof-reading process and checklist to ensure accuracy in names, dates, figures and grammar; and
- Incorporating keyboard short-cuts to streamline routine actions.
Brailsford’s policies
A few of the policies Brailsford implemented to marginally improve British Cycling’s performance are:
- Hiring a surgeon to teach the athletes how to effectively wash their hands to avoid sickness;
- Painting the bike workshop floor white so that dirt was easily identifiable; and
- Ensuring each athlete had 8 hours sleep and their own pillows which were taken to each competition.
Whilst I would not encourage new trainees to start painting their workplaces, Sir Brailsford’s ideas are a thought-provoking way of how we can implement ideas to ensure we continuously improve in competitive environments.
So perhaps reflect on ways you can optimise your revision or work to enhance efficiency, whether that is drafting email precedents to be populated with information later, or simply ensuring you are exercising and sleeping well so you are ready to tackle the day.
The importance of reflection
Given how busy SQE students and trainees’ schedules are, it is easy to quickly move onto the next task without taking the time to pause and reflect.
At Michelmores our learning and development training sessions have emphasised the importance of reflection as an activity which can avoid repetitive mistakes as well as an aid to recognise and reinforce the gains made. By reflecting and documenting your findings, it is possible to understand why an improvement has been made and put into place further actions to develop other skills.
In a demanding environment such as the SQE and training contracts, this dual mindset of marginal gains and reflection helps transform the experience from reactive to proactive and ensure each task contributes to long term growth.