Executive Functioning: Why it Matters for Everyone

Executive functioning (EF) is gaining increasing attention in professional development spaces, especially in efforts to better support neurodivergent lawyers. EF refers to a set of cognitive processes that are essential for effective planning, adapting to challenges, and achieving goals. 
 
We are all born with the potential to develop EF; these processes are associated with our brain’s prefrontal cortex, which continues to develop until around the age of 25 (Knežević & Marinković (2017). However, during our lives, certain factors can contribute to EF challenges:  

-Neurobiological factors: Learning differences such as ADHD and Dyslexia, developmental diagnoses like Autism, or traumatic brain injuries can impact EF.   
 
-Environmental and social factors: Cultural norms that reinforce perfectionistic beliefs, high pressure environments, chronic stress, or experiences of identity-based microaggressions and discrimination can play a role in EF challenges.   
 
-Mental health Challenges: Depression and anxiety among other psychological factors can further disrupt these cognitive processes affecting everything from focus to decision-making and emotion regulation.   
 
EF can be broken down into twelve domains which refer to the different cognitive processes it encompasses. Anyone impacted by the factors above can experience breakdowns in these domains. Those experiencing such breakdowns can experience challenges related to; memory and adaptability, emotions and impulses, prioritization and goal attainment and time management and productivity.  

Memory and Adaptability 

EF challenges related to working memory, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility may manifest as discomfort in unpredictable or rapidly changing environments, struggling to adapt or shift strategies when necessary, or frequently forgetting important details. Some may find it hard to stay focused, manage distractions, or make quick decisions in time-sensitive situations.  

Emotions and Impulses  

When the collaboration between the prefrontal cortex and limbic system are disrupted, it can lead to challenges regulating emotions and impulses (Feller et al., 2020). This could look like difficulty labeling emotions in the moment, unhealthy coping strategies, interrupting others, or inappropriately over-sharing. These struggles reflect challenges in emotion regulation and response inhibition.  

Prioritization and Goal Attainment  

EF challenges can also affect goal setting, planning, and prioritization. Individuals may find it difficult to set realistic goals, struggle with indecisiveness and overthink decisions. This can lead to inconsistent follow-through, difficulty delegating tasks, or becoming overwhelmed by short-term and long-term needs.  

Time Management and Productivity  

Metacognition and time awareness may explain the root cause of challenges managing time and being productive. These skills require self-awareness and the ability to self-evaluate our performance. Challenges in this area include difficulty meeting deadlines as a result of inaccurately estimating how much time is needed for a specific task. Individuals may have the experience that they are working hard but don’t have enough to show for it at the end of the day. In addition, they might struggle to recognize when they are off track or effectively anticipate challenges.   
 
EF skills are critical for lawyers, whether working in teams or working alone in contexts requiring clarity, focus, efficiency and specific deliverables. For this reason, it’s essential that EF, and its associated challenges are considered within law firms and talent management. The more we understand EF and appreciate those differences, the more we can recognize and address breakdowns. Doing so will empower all of us to help ourselves, and our teams, work better. 

References 

Feller, L., Feller, G., Ballyram, T., Chandran, R., Lemmer, J., & Khammissa, R. A. G. (2020). Interrelations between pain, stress and executive functioning. British journal of pain, 14(3), 188-194. 

Knežević, M., & Marinković, K. (2017). Neurodynamic correlates of response inhibition from emerging to mid adulthood. Cognitive development, 43, 106-118. 

Reproduced from NALP Bulletin+. ©2024 National Association for Law Placement, Inc. (NALP). All rights reserved. For reprint permission, please contact the NALP office at 202-835-1001 or email info@nalp.org.