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SEPTEMBER 2025
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com
The People Skills You Can’t Fake What It Really Takes to Connect
You can’t manufacture empathy. It can’t be scripted or faked. It has to come from a true, authentic place. September is International People Skills Month, and whenever I hear the word “People Skills,” the first thing that I think about is empathy. As a lawyer, I serve many individuals who are in a time of crisis, whether they are facing divorce or grieving the loss of a loved one. While our estate planning clients aren’t necessarily facing a crisis, many of them have anxiety for various reasons about creating their estate plans. My point here is that our clients don’t come to us with legal problems; they come to us with personal problems, which just happen to involve the legal system. It took me a long time to come to this realization, but it’s so important that I personally spend time with all our new hires during onboarding, stressing the importance of this fact. To me, this understanding separates our firm from other firms, and strong people skills are something that I value greatly in recruitment and hiring of any “client-facing” position. Avoiding judgment and false assumptions is a critical part of empathy. You must set aside any personal biases, truly listen, and try to understand where they’re coming from. Our approach to clients is personal — strong people skills are important — because we never treat our clients’ matters as transactional. We know our clients don’t hire us to get a piece of paper signed by a judge. We realize our clients are seeking a better life, one where they can move forward past their anxieties and fears and start their new lives. I never sit in consultation with a potential client spouting off laws and statutes or making it all about me. Instead, I make a
genuine effort to help them realize that I’m just a relatable person they can trust, who wants to understand the root cause of what brought them here. You must be fully engaged in client conversations and interactions, meaning no cell phones or other distractions can interfere with client meetings. I tell our team all the time that we will never remember all the people we have represented; it’s just impossible. But they will never forget us and how we made them feel. So practice empathy, not sympathy. We don’t want to treat clients as victims; we want to empower them, not reinforce ideas of hopelessness or a lack of options. Our clients are the heroes of their stories. Though some people naturally possess strong people skills, there are some techniques anyone can use to build these skills. Mirror others by repeating what they said to slow the conversation down and ensure you understand their meaning. Whether it’s a client, business partner, or friend, active listening improves conversations. Ask them follow-up questions about how they feel and validate difficult emotions they must be experiencing. People can sense it when you’re not authentic; when you’re genuine, you will automatically become more inquisitive. I ask a ton of questions to earn my clients’ trust, really peeling back the onion to figure out what’s driving them and their decision-making. When it becomes my turn to talk and share recommendations, they will trust me more because I didn’t spend the entire time talking about myself and confusing them with legalese.
People love to talk about themselves, so if you are engaged and ask them questions, it’s pretty easy to improve your communication skills and, by extension, your people skills. In this changing world, where AI and technology are essential tools, one thing we can really offer is meaningful human interactions that come from a place of service. Human beings are social creatures. No one’s perfect, and even I have days where I’m just in a bad mood, getting more irritated as the day progresses. But you can control your emotions. You can turn things around or make a positive impact on someone. A small compliment, eye contact, and giving someone your full attention can go a long way. At the end of the day, people skills aren’t about being slick or polished; they are about being real. And in a world full of distractions and performance, being fully present and empathic with another human being might just be the most valuable skill you can have.
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Saving in a Swipe Society Raising Money-Savvy Teens in the Digital Age
jobs. Studies have found that teens who work to earn a paycheck are more likely to budget, save, and think before purchasing. With less hands-on experience with money management and the convenience of buying items with the simple click of a button, it’s become easier than ever to spend money impulsively and recklessly. TEACHING TIPS In a sea of apps and short-form videos, parents can be a trusted source of information about financial literacy; it just takes creativity to make the lessons stick. Start by having regular discussions about finances as a family. Real-life examples can help them practice saving and budgeting, like plotting out the expenses for school supplies or identifying big purchases they want to make, like a car.
Encourage teens in a fun way, like doing a savings challenge where they have to put away $1 every week. This can help them get into the habit of saving and waiting to buy the things they want until they have the budget to support it. Gamify money management lessons as much as you can to keep them engaged. You can even find apps that help young people budget and learn important financial concepts. One app called BusyKid helps them manage their allowance and introduces them to safe investment opportunities. In a world where money moves with a tap, it’s more important than ever for teens to focus on financial literacy. With the right tools and conversations, you can help them set up smart money habits that last a lifetime.
In today’s tap-to-pay world, the days of piggy banks and cash allowances for chores are gone. Teens are growing up with financial apps, Venmo, debit cards, and virtual transfers they can’t physically see. In this cashless culture, parents have to rethink how they teach young adults basic financial literacy. Empowering your children to budget wisely is all about helping them understand the value behind a swipe, tap, or click. TEEN SPENDING Today’s teens spend more money online, frequenting food delivery apps and websites like Amazon or Sephora. Though their digital shopping habits have increased, fewer young people seek part-time or summer
Think Your Estate Plan Is Set? Double-Check These Common Pitfalls
With estate planning, some mistakes can turn your well-intentioned plans into legal headaches for your loved ones. From naming only one beneficiary to outdated information, these common pitfalls can cause stress and costly delays. Knowing what not to do can help you secure your legacy and ensure your wishes are carried out accurately. HAVING NO PLAN Without a legally prepared estate plan like a will or trust, Tennessee state law determines who receives your assets, which might not be the outcome you would have wanted. The biggest mistake in estate planning is not having a valid, legally prepared estate plan at all. Often, this mistake occurs due to procrastination and falsely thinking that you have plenty of time to establish an estate plan. When someone dies without an estate plan, the probate process can be lengthy and costly, and may trigger disagreements with your loved ones. If you haven’t made a plan or it’s been over five years since you’ve updated your estate plan, it’s wise to schedule an appointment with an established estate planning attorney as soon as possible. NAMING JUST ONE BENEFICIARY While there may be one person who naturally makes sense to you to name as your sole beneficiary in your estate planning documents,
choosing just one individual could have unexpected consequences. If this individual dies before you and your estate plan doesn’t designate any contingent beneficiaries, your assets may pass to an unintended party. For that reason, be sure to identify contingent beneficiaries for all your assets and accounts. This clarifies who would be next in the chain of inheritance and helps avoid situations where unintended individuals inherit any of your assets. REGULARLY UPDATING YOUR PLAN Estate planning doesn’t stop at simply setting it up. Significant events like marriages, births, divorce, or the death of a family member mean you need to update your plan. Failing to do so could cause assets to go to someone no longer in your life. Relationship dynamics can change, new children can cause you to shift your priorities, or an executor can become too ill or incapacitated to administer your estate successfully. You should review your plan at least every 3–5 years. Most of these errors are easily preventable, and we can help you steer clear of them. Give us a call at 901.388.5805 to schedule an appointment to discuss estate planning with one of our experienced lawyers.
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Running a business isn’t easy. As a business owner, you’ve poured your time, energy, and vision into building something remarkable, but if you don’t have a proper estate plan, all your hard work could be at risk of unraveling if the unexpected happens. Whether you’re running a solo enterprise or leading a growing team, using the right strategies in your estate plan will ensure your family, partners, and legacy aren’t vulnerable to confusion, conflict, and costly legal hurdles. Here are some essential considerations business owners should address to safeguard their company and future. You Built It. Now Protect It Estate Planning Tips for Business Owners
Inspired by TheShortOrderCook.com
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak
Ingredients Marinade •
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1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ginger powder
2/3 cup red wine 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup sesame oil 1 tbsp sesame seeds 1 tsp minced garlic
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1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• • • •
Meat •
1 1/2 lbs flank steak
Directions 1. In a large bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. 2. Place the flank steak in a large, rimmed dish. Pour the marinade over the meat. 3. Refrigerate and allow to marinate for 15 minutes. Flip and let marinate for another 15 minutes. 4. Preheat grill to 400 F. 5. Add the meat to the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side. Leave the grill lid open to avoid overcooking. 6. For a medium-rare steak, remove from grill at 130 F internally, and for medium, remove at 140 F. 7. Let the meat rest on a cutting board for 5–10 minutes. Then, slice against the grain into thin pieces and enjoy! INSPIRATION “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” —Norman Vincent Peale
SUCCESSION PLANNING Though it may seem far off in the future, there will come a time when you need to hand over the reins of your business to someone else. Whether you plan to retire soon, have new life goals, or become ill, creating a plan for a smooth transition is crucial. A succession plan outlines who will take over leadership and the steps to ensure operations continue seamlessly during the transition. Setting this blueprint up will prevent important institutional knowledge from being lost, employee turnover, and disruptions for your customers. ONLINE ACCOUNT AND DIGITAL ASSETS Today’s businesses rely on online accounts to manage day-to-day operations and plan for the future. These accounts are valuable assets that need to be accounted for in an estate plan. Make sure you take an inventory of any online accounts (including bank accounts and vendor accounts), intellectual property, or proprietary data, and designate who will be responsible for managing them once you’re gone. Even assets like your website domain and social media accounts are valuable enough that you need to include them. You should provide instructions on how to access your digital accounts, including passwords or other login information, and who can access them. Business owners have unique estate planning needs, from a potentially larger tax burden to deciding whether to hand over ownership to a family member or sell the company completely. A skilled lawyer can help you determine the best ways to protect what you worked so hard to build. At Douglass & Runger, we specialize in helping business owners like you keep operations moving smoothly into the future. Contact us today at 901.388.5805 for a case evaluation.
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2865 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Why Empathy Matters in Court and Beyond 2 Teen Financial Skills Matter Now More Than Ever
How to Avoid Common Planning Errors
3 Start Your Succession Plan Today
Grilled Teriyaki Flank Steak 4 Superstition’s Grip on Modern Habits
From Ladders to Black Cats The Quirky World of Superstitions
Ever caught yourself short after walking under a ladder or cringed when a black cat crossed your path? You’re not alone. These superstitions have been with us for centuries, and they’re just two on
What about the black cat thing? They got a bad rap in medieval Europe and were tied to witchcraft. The number 13? That came from stories of betrayal and misfortune. Opening an umbrella
a long list of many that people still have today. While some may feel silly, all of them have fascinating origin stories. Of course, there’s a practical, safety-related reason not to walk under a ladder, but the superstition comes from several places, including Christian tradition. In Christianity, the triangle represents the Holy Trinity. Walking through the triangle formed by a ladder was
indoors? That’s part practicality — no one wants to knock over a vase or poke someone in the eye — and part belief that opening them indoors would offend the Sun God. Do you carry a rabbit’s foot for good luck? You have Celtic folklore to thank for that one. The truth is that all superstitions are a mix of history, fear, and habit rolled into stuff we still believe and do without thinking. So, the next time you say “bless you” after a sneeze, remember you’re protecting souls one sniffle at a time.
seen as breaking this perfect unity. Ladders were also associated with the gallows in medieval times. Walking under one was thought to bring death or bad luck — nobody wanted that energy.
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