There is a principle or rule for success that those who study psychology most often encounter in their first year of study. YAVIS, an acronym for Young Attractive Verbal Intelligent = Success, is also known as the principle of the eighty per cent person. It basically holds that individuals who have the qualities of being youthful (in outlook and energy as much as age), attractive (in appearance and personality), articulate and intelligent will have a higher probability and natural advantage in achieving success than others.
Jim Christie, the current Managing Partner and soon-to-be Chair of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, is about as perfect an example of YAVIS as one can find. Anyone who meets him for the first time is struck by how youthful he appears, given his senior role with one of Canada’s most established and respected law firms. His appearance is further enhanced by a warm, genuine style and the careful attentiveness he gives to whomever he is speaking with or listening to. For anyone who knows him, however, his youthful appearance is eclipsed by an obviously sharp intellect and highly articulate manner that allows him to again and again move disparate points of view to consensus and resolution on an array of complex issues. Christie is such an ideal example of YAVIS that one expects to see his photograph next to the explanation of the acronym in a Psych 101 text.
A LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES LAWYER: Jim Christie has been consistently identified as a leading financial services lawyer by Lexpert, notwithstanding the fact that for the past six years he has spent only about 25 per cent of his time in active practice, the remaining 75 per cent of his time devoted to his role of Managing Partner. Clients such as CIBC’s General Counsel Michael Capatides and Jackie Moss, CIBC’s Vice-President, Law, are clear about the value he brings to the often difficult transactions CIBC undertakes, whether involving regulatory issues, acquisitions, financing matters, or debt restructurings. In a nutshell, he is viewed as a seasoned reasoned expert with superb problem solving skills and a calm confident manner. “He is a very good lawyer,” says Michael Capatides, “a calm voice in the midst of what is often heated debate, and he offers extremely practical advice.” “He is our primary relationship person,” adds Jackie Moss.
MANAGING PARTNER: While Christie thrives on developing solutions for clients, his role for the past six years has revolved around being the Managing Partner of Blakes. He spends about 75 per cent of his time on management and leadership issues at the firm. This involves travelling to Blakes’ six offices regularly, developing domestic and international strategy, building and strengthening client relationships and participating and speaking at client, firm and law school functions.
In his role as Managing Partner, Christie carries forward the same problem-solving skills and pragmatic strengths that make him a leading lawyer. He also brings something else to the table which others see as a core strength—the ability to build consensus. “He respects everyone,” says Blakes’ Partner Gwen Chamberlain. “He listens really well, tries to find a middle ground, and has the unique ability to get people with very different points of view on side to trust and follow him.” “He has an exceptional ability to build consensus,” says Jackie Moss, (who began her career at Blakes). “You completely trust that he is going to do the right thing.”
EMOTIONAL SMARTS: How does Jim Christie do it? Recently he completed an Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessment at Lexpert’s request. This not only validates other’s perceptions of, but also sheds some light on, his capabilities as a leader and lawyer. Not surprisingly Christie possesses high levels of emotional smarts. His problem solving skills and self discipline (Impulse Control) are practically off the scale. He also displays extremely high levels of empathy for others (described as most likely to go out of his way to help others) and a strong sense of responsibility. These four strengths alone (among a number of others) most likely shed considerable light on Christie’s strength as a Managing Partner. Blakes’ Associate Ian Binnie describes him as the “glue” that holds people together. “People trust him,” says Blakes’ Partner Gord Currie. Both Gord Currie and Jackie Moss observe that Jim has strong personal power to move people, but not in the typical charismatic sense. “He offers quiet competent leadership,” observes Jackie Moss.
WORK–FAMILY LIFE BALANCE: Jim Christie’s understated manner and calm collegial style can almost make one forget that he holds a position of great trust, responsibility and power as one of a limited number of Managing Partners of major Canadian law firms. He is at the pinnacle of any career ladder. No one gets to this kind of position by accident, by being nice, or looking good. “He works very hard and is extremely focused and exceptionally well organized,” says Gord Currie who has worked with Jim for 18 years.
Aspiring successors will not want to hold their breath for Jim’s early retirement or burnout. His EQ scores reflect that not only does he have a strong sense of his capabilities and who he is (Emotional Self Awareness), but he also manages stress highly effectively. His happiness scale is also simply too high. This is someone, according to the Emotional Quotient, who obviously enjoys what he is doing. His stress and happiness scores appear to validate his calm cool manner.
It is also helpful to have a clear sense of his priorities and values, and Christie has both. In addition to loving his work, it is clear that he also loves his family, his wife Sarah Pepall, a Judge of the Ontario Superior Court, and their two children Gillian, age 10, and Fraser, age 7. Asked about his parenting role, Jim enthusiastically begins to describe school projects on lobsters and animal habitats. On the personal side, both Jim and Sarah, thrive on their family time, spent boating and swimming in summer at their cottage in Lake Joseph, or for the past couple of years skiing with their kids in winter. Jim is also, according to Sarah, “a newspaper-oholic”. He loves to read and has a keen interest in art.
Jim’s sense of balance carries through to his juggling two roles within Blakes. At a time in the legal profession when so many firms and Managing Partners are struggling with the transition of a leading lawyer to Managing Partner, Jim Christie has effectively and smoothly balanced this role for almost six years. On the outside, clients such as Mike Capatides and Jackie Moss continue to actively seek out and value his expert advice on financial institution matters. On the inside, his leadership is greatly valued by his colleagues. Ian Binnie, a senior associate who has worked closely with Jim for a number of years, says: “Jim delegates and supervises very well. He passes on a lot of responsibility to the lawyers who work with our clients from day to day, but he is always accessible and ready to assist.”
CHARTING A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE: What does the future hold for Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP? “My goal is to continue to build Blakes”, says Christie, “to make it as strong as it can be.” Christie’s view is that the firm needs to continue to focus on attracting, training and retaining top-calibre lawyers, while at the same time focusing on the changing legal needs of the firm’s clients. “Our clients are going through significant change” he says. “We have to continue to change to meet their needs. To a large extent it will be the clients who drive our change”. Not surprisingly, one of Christie’s personal goals when he takes on the role of Chair at Blakes is to spend more time developing and enhancing client relationships for the firm. “I enjoy dealing with clients, learning about their businesses and finding solutions to their problems which work to everyone’s advantage”, he says.
WHAT NO DARK SIDE?: Sitting in Blakes’ reception area my mind turns to reflecting on the many descriptions and comments made about Jim Christie by those I spoke to. (I was given carte blanche to speak to anyone). Very intelligent, ethical, trustworthy, capable, responsible, wonderful father and husband, a delightful person.
Damn! Where is the dark side, the Achilles heel, tragic flaw? Everyone, even YAVIS people, have a dark side. Does Jim Christie have a dark side? You bet. What is it? Don’t know, couldn’t find it and as impossible as it seems, I suspect he may have problem-solved it away. Without further deep testing, we will likely never find out.
Well, it’s refreshing to find that there are still a few Young Attractive Verbal Intelligent people out there, and nice to boot. YAVIS lives on.
Irene Taylor is a senior leadership consultant with Johnston Smith International, a Toronto-based management consultancy.
Jim Christie, the current Managing Partner and soon-to-be Chair of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, is about as perfect an example of YAVIS as one can find. Anyone who meets him for the first time is struck by how youthful he appears, given his senior role with one of Canada’s most established and respected law firms. His appearance is further enhanced by a warm, genuine style and the careful attentiveness he gives to whomever he is speaking with or listening to. For anyone who knows him, however, his youthful appearance is eclipsed by an obviously sharp intellect and highly articulate manner that allows him to again and again move disparate points of view to consensus and resolution on an array of complex issues. Christie is such an ideal example of YAVIS that one expects to see his photograph next to the explanation of the acronym in a Psych 101 text.
A LEADING FINANCIAL SERVICES LAWYER: Jim Christie has been consistently identified as a leading financial services lawyer by Lexpert, notwithstanding the fact that for the past six years he has spent only about 25 per cent of his time in active practice, the remaining 75 per cent of his time devoted to his role of Managing Partner. Clients such as CIBC’s General Counsel Michael Capatides and Jackie Moss, CIBC’s Vice-President, Law, are clear about the value he brings to the often difficult transactions CIBC undertakes, whether involving regulatory issues, acquisitions, financing matters, or debt restructurings. In a nutshell, he is viewed as a seasoned reasoned expert with superb problem solving skills and a calm confident manner. “He is a very good lawyer,” says Michael Capatides, “a calm voice in the midst of what is often heated debate, and he offers extremely practical advice.” “He is our primary relationship person,” adds Jackie Moss.
MANAGING PARTNER: While Christie thrives on developing solutions for clients, his role for the past six years has revolved around being the Managing Partner of Blakes. He spends about 75 per cent of his time on management and leadership issues at the firm. This involves travelling to Blakes’ six offices regularly, developing domestic and international strategy, building and strengthening client relationships and participating and speaking at client, firm and law school functions.
In his role as Managing Partner, Christie carries forward the same problem-solving skills and pragmatic strengths that make him a leading lawyer. He also brings something else to the table which others see as a core strength—the ability to build consensus. “He respects everyone,” says Blakes’ Partner Gwen Chamberlain. “He listens really well, tries to find a middle ground, and has the unique ability to get people with very different points of view on side to trust and follow him.” “He has an exceptional ability to build consensus,” says Jackie Moss, (who began her career at Blakes). “You completely trust that he is going to do the right thing.”
EMOTIONAL SMARTS: How does Jim Christie do it? Recently he completed an Emotional Intelligence (EQ) assessment at Lexpert’s request. This not only validates other’s perceptions of, but also sheds some light on, his capabilities as a leader and lawyer. Not surprisingly Christie possesses high levels of emotional smarts. His problem solving skills and self discipline (Impulse Control) are practically off the scale. He also displays extremely high levels of empathy for others (described as most likely to go out of his way to help others) and a strong sense of responsibility. These four strengths alone (among a number of others) most likely shed considerable light on Christie’s strength as a Managing Partner. Blakes’ Associate Ian Binnie describes him as the “glue” that holds people together. “People trust him,” says Blakes’ Partner Gord Currie. Both Gord Currie and Jackie Moss observe that Jim has strong personal power to move people, but not in the typical charismatic sense. “He offers quiet competent leadership,” observes Jackie Moss.
WORK–FAMILY LIFE BALANCE: Jim Christie’s understated manner and calm collegial style can almost make one forget that he holds a position of great trust, responsibility and power as one of a limited number of Managing Partners of major Canadian law firms. He is at the pinnacle of any career ladder. No one gets to this kind of position by accident, by being nice, or looking good. “He works very hard and is extremely focused and exceptionally well organized,” says Gord Currie who has worked with Jim for 18 years.
Aspiring successors will not want to hold their breath for Jim’s early retirement or burnout. His EQ scores reflect that not only does he have a strong sense of his capabilities and who he is (Emotional Self Awareness), but he also manages stress highly effectively. His happiness scale is also simply too high. This is someone, according to the Emotional Quotient, who obviously enjoys what he is doing. His stress and happiness scores appear to validate his calm cool manner.
It is also helpful to have a clear sense of his priorities and values, and Christie has both. In addition to loving his work, it is clear that he also loves his family, his wife Sarah Pepall, a Judge of the Ontario Superior Court, and their two children Gillian, age 10, and Fraser, age 7. Asked about his parenting role, Jim enthusiastically begins to describe school projects on lobsters and animal habitats. On the personal side, both Jim and Sarah, thrive on their family time, spent boating and swimming in summer at their cottage in Lake Joseph, or for the past couple of years skiing with their kids in winter. Jim is also, according to Sarah, “a newspaper-oholic”. He loves to read and has a keen interest in art.
Jim’s sense of balance carries through to his juggling two roles within Blakes. At a time in the legal profession when so many firms and Managing Partners are struggling with the transition of a leading lawyer to Managing Partner, Jim Christie has effectively and smoothly balanced this role for almost six years. On the outside, clients such as Mike Capatides and Jackie Moss continue to actively seek out and value his expert advice on financial institution matters. On the inside, his leadership is greatly valued by his colleagues. Ian Binnie, a senior associate who has worked closely with Jim for a number of years, says: “Jim delegates and supervises very well. He passes on a lot of responsibility to the lawyers who work with our clients from day to day, but he is always accessible and ready to assist.”
CHARTING A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE: What does the future hold for Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP? “My goal is to continue to build Blakes”, says Christie, “to make it as strong as it can be.” Christie’s view is that the firm needs to continue to focus on attracting, training and retaining top-calibre lawyers, while at the same time focusing on the changing legal needs of the firm’s clients. “Our clients are going through significant change” he says. “We have to continue to change to meet their needs. To a large extent it will be the clients who drive our change”. Not surprisingly, one of Christie’s personal goals when he takes on the role of Chair at Blakes is to spend more time developing and enhancing client relationships for the firm. “I enjoy dealing with clients, learning about their businesses and finding solutions to their problems which work to everyone’s advantage”, he says.
WHAT NO DARK SIDE?: Sitting in Blakes’ reception area my mind turns to reflecting on the many descriptions and comments made about Jim Christie by those I spoke to. (I was given carte blanche to speak to anyone). Very intelligent, ethical, trustworthy, capable, responsible, wonderful father and husband, a delightful person.
Damn! Where is the dark side, the Achilles heel, tragic flaw? Everyone, even YAVIS people, have a dark side. Does Jim Christie have a dark side? You bet. What is it? Don’t know, couldn’t find it and as impossible as it seems, I suspect he may have problem-solved it away. Without further deep testing, we will likely never find out.
Well, it’s refreshing to find that there are still a few Young Attractive Verbal Intelligent people out there, and nice to boot. YAVIS lives on.
Irene Taylor is a senior leadership consultant with Johnston Smith International, a Toronto-based management consultancy.
Lawyer(s)
James R. Christie
Michael G. Capatides
Jacqueline C. Moss
Gwen Chamberlain
Ian J. Binnie
Gordon A.M. Currie
Firm(s)
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Carswell Media, a Thomson Reuters business
CIBC World Markets Inc.
Ontario Superior Court of Justice