Recently,
I
had
a
powerful
conversation
with
Mariette
Clardy-Davis,
an
inspiring
in-house
counsel
and
a
fierce
advocate
for
mental
health
awareness.
Her
story
isn’t
just
about
overcoming
adversity;
it’s
a
call
to
action
for
all
of
us
in
the
legal
profession
to
rethink
how
we
handle
mental
health
—
both
for
ourselves
and
our
colleagues.
Here
are
three
unexpected
takeaways
from
our
conversation
that
might
just
change
how
you
approach
your
career
and
well-being.
1.
Breakdowns
Can
Be
Breakthroughs
We’ve
all
faced
moments
when
everything
seems
to
be
falling
apart.
For
Mariette,
her
breakdowns
were
not
just
moments
of
despair;
they
were
pivotal
turning
points.
She
shared
her
experiences
with
intensive
outpatient
treatment,
spending
full
days
at
a
mental
health
facility
to
regain
her
stability.
But
instead
of
viewing
these
moments
as
setbacks,
Mariette
reframed
them
as
breakthroughs.
These
experiences
allowed
her
to
reset,
understand
her
needs
better,
and
build
a
toolkit
for
future
challenges.
In
a
profession
where
vulnerability
is
often
mistaken
for
weakness,
Mariette’s
story
is
a
bold
reminder
that
sometimes,
hitting
rock
bottom
can
be
the
foundation
for
a
stronger,
more
resilient
self.
2.
Silence
Isn’t
Strength
There’s
a
prevailing
culture
in
law
that
values
stoicism
and
silence,
often
equating
them
with
strength.
Mariette,
however,
highlighted
how
this
silence
can
be
more
damaging
than
protective.
For
years,
she
felt
pressured
to
keep
her
struggles
with
bipolar
depression
hidden,
leading
to
isolation
and
a
sense
of
being
alone
in
her
battle.
By
choosing
to
break
her
silence
and
speak
openly
about
her
experiences,
Mariette
found
that
her
story
resonated
deeply
with
others
facing
similar
struggles.
Her
courage
to
speak
out
not
only
helped
her
heal
but
also
encouraged
others
to
share
their
own
stories.
It’s
a
powerful
reminder
that
true
strength
comes
from
being
open
about
our
vulnerabilities
and
supporting
each
other
through
our
toughest
times.
3.
The
Power
Of
Genuine
Curiosity
Creating
a
supportive
work
environment
doesn’t
require
grand
gestures.
One
of
Mariette’s
most
impactful
pieces
of
advice
was
about
the
importance
of
genuine
curiosity.
Instead
of
the
usual,
“How
are
you?”
she
suggests
asking,
“How
are
you
really
doing?”
and
then
actively
listening.
This
small,
thoughtful
shift
can
make
a
world
of
difference.
It
shows
that
you
genuinely
care
and
are
willing
to
listen
without
judgment,
creating
a
safe
space
for
honest
conversations.
In
a
field
where
everyone
often
feels
pressured
to
appear
flawless,
showing
true
empathy
and
concern
is
a
radical
act
that
can
foster
a
more
supportive
and
understanding
workplace
culture.
Embrace
The
Conversation
I
encourage
each
of
you
to
take
these
insights
to
heart
and
consider
how
you
can
apply
them
in
your
own
professional
lives.
Mental
health
isn’t
just
a
personal
issue;
it’s
a
collective
responsibility.
Whether
it’s
through
more
meaningful
check-ins
with
colleagues
or
by
sharing
your
own
story,
every
action
counts
in
breaking
down
the
stigma
and
building
a
stronger,
more
supportive
legal
community.
Want
to
learn
more
from
Mariette?
Stay
tuned
for
more
insights
from
our
conversation,
where
she
shares
practical
tips
for
fostering
a
healthier
workplace
and
discusses
the
importance
of
mental
health
advocacy
in
the
legal
field.
Remember,
engaging
in
these
conversations
isn’t
just
good
for
your
well-being
—
it’s
essential
for
creating
a
more
empathetic
and
resilient
legal
profession.
Olga
V.
Mack
is
a
Fellow
at
CodeX,
The
Stanford
Center
for
Legal
Informatics,
and
a
Generative
AI
Editor
at
law.MIT.
Olga
embraces
legal
innovation
and
had
dedicated
her
career
to
improving
and
shaping
the
future
of
law.
She
is
convinced
that
the
legal
profession
will
emerge
even
stronger,
more
resilient,
and
more
inclusive
than
before
by
embracing
technology.
Olga
is
also
an
award-winning
general
counsel,
operations
professional,
startup
advisor,
public
speaker,
adjunct
professor,
and
entrepreneur.
She
authored Get
on
Board:
Earning
Your
Ticket
to
a
Corporate
Board
Seat, Fundamentals
of
Smart
Contract
Security,
and Blockchain
Value:
Transforming
Business
Models,
Society,
and
Communities. She
is
working
on
three
books:
Visual
IQ
for
Lawyers
(ABA
2024), The
Rise
of
Product
Lawyers:
An
Analytical
Framework
to
Systematically
Advise
Your
Clients
Throughout
the
Product
Lifecycle
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024),
and
Legal
Operations
in
the
Age
of
AI
and
Data
(Globe
Law
and
Business
2024).
You
can
follow
Olga
on
LinkedIn
and
Twitter
@olgavmack.