Future Shapers: Modern Leadership: How Can I Help?

BRG Director Jean-Gabriel Despeyroux and Mathilde Saltiel, a partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, explore key themes of leadership through the lens of lived experience and the television series New Amsterdam. They reflect on the evolving demands of effective leadership, emphasizing humility, emotional intelligence, and the importance of trust and collaboration.

The phrase “How can I help?” from the TV series becomes a recurring leadership mantra, underlining a mindset of service and problem-solving. Trust, whether between doctor and patient or lawyer and client, is presented as foundational to successful outcomes. Leadership is framed not as command-and-control but instead as creating an environment where people are empowered, respected, and inspired to give their best.

Their conversation also unpacks how leadership starts early in one’s career, shaped gradually through mentorship and building self-confidence. Mathilde reflects on challenges such as delivering difficult feedback, the importance of authenticity, and the misconception that strong leadership requires authoritarianism.

Finally, Mathilde discusses her experience as a mother of two, advocating for visibility and authenticity among women leaders. She underscores how simply being present and open about the realities of balancing parenthood and leadership can serve as powerful encouragement for future generations of professionals.

Selected Transcript Summary

[0:56]
Jean-Gabriel introduces Mathilde. He praising her leadership style, marked by kindness and high standards, and notes their shared professional background in competition law. They highlight the impact of multicultural careers. Mathilde explains why leadership is vital today. She emphasizes the increasing difficulty of retaining talent and notes that leadership styles must evolve to resonate with new generations of professionals.

[5:05]
They introduce the television show New Amsterdam as the frame of the conversation. Mathilde shares why the show resonates, highlighting its focus on teamwork, systemic change, and patient-centered values. Mathilde draws parallels between medicine and law, noting the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork and staying grounded under pressure. She reflects on the value of France’s public healthcare in contrast to challenges portrayed in the US system.

[10:22]
Mathilde emphasizes the leadership mantra “How can I help?,” applying it to client service, team support, and crisis management. She links emotional intelligence and the need for empathy to effective leadership. They stress the importance of valuing each team member, from interns to senior partners, and maintaining trust with clients as the foundation of successful legal advice.

[16:07]
Mathilde reflects on her personal leadership journey, describing her gradual growth in self-confidence rather than a single pivotal moment. She advocates for assuming leadership behaviors ahead of formal promotions.

[18:09]

Mathilde identifies one of her toughest challenges as delivering hard feedback when professional fit may be lacking. These situations require honesty and listening, even when the outcomes can be difficult.

[19:07]
They challenge the misconception that leadership requires authoritarianism. Mathilde warns against fear-based leadership, noting its destructive impact on team morale and retention. They also discuss how leadership must evolve to focus on humility, flexibility, and leading by example over rigid hierarchies and urgency-based management.

[23:48]
Mathilde offers advice to early career professionals: shaping who you are as a leader begins from day one. Good management of peers and interns leaves lasting impressions that influence long-term career paths.

[25:03]
Jean-Gabriel brings up parenting and leadership. Mathilde shares her experience as a mother of two and stresses the importance of role models, especially for women in law balancing parenthood and professional ambition. Mathilde describes the initial anxiety around parenting in big law and how she overcame it through organization and perspective. She encourages open dialogue about challenges and sharing strategies among peers.

[27:35]
Mathilde reflects on the value of taking time to think about the type of leader one wants to be. She hopes the conversation sparks further discussion and inspires emerging leaders.