Stayce Wagner

When I was a young professional, I worked at a firm that loved to celebrate: Someone passed the bar? Let's celebrate! Someone getting married? Let's celebrate! Won a case? Client in town? Nice summer day? Let's celebrate! You get the idea. These celebrations were known as "balcony parties" and they were not only fun but also a great opportunity for staff to mingle with stakeholders in a low-pressure, genuine way. Still, these parties were work functions, and I approached them as such:...

It’s Monday morning, and you're finally making a dent in your to‑do list. Then you get pinged for an unscheduled Zoom meeting. In 10 minutes. You glance around your room, surveying the pile of laundry on your chair, realizing you're still in your PJs — and you forgot to update your software last week. You hop on the call with your camera off, feeling frazzled and hoping your audio doesn't glitch out. Video meetings move fast, and impressions form faster. Here are seven habits that can help...

Updated 2026 Imagine: You're at a networking event and someone you've never met turns to you and says, "So, have you been to this event before?" You smile, you have something real to say, and the conversation takes off naturally. No awkward silences. No reaching for your phone. That is what small talk looks like when you are prepared for it, and it is a skill that everyone can learn. For early-career professionals navigating client events, recruiting dinners, team gatherings, or even the...