"I’m the GC Now": Lessons on Leadership and Productivity from Joseph Schohl
What happens when you land your dream job as a General Counsel at age 36, only to be told on day one that you need to fly to New York immediately to win a massive auction that might double the company’s size - and potentially cost you your job?
This was Joseph Schohl's first week as a Fortune 500 GC at DaVita. He is now founder of General Counsel West, Inside Counsel Academy, and host of the Becoming the GC podcast.
In the latest episode of CZ & Friends, Joe sat down with Cecilia Ziniti to discuss his trial-by-fire entry into executive leadership, the productivity systems that saved his career, and why there is no single "right" path to the GC chair.
Here are the top takeaways from a masterclass in resilience and professional development.
1. The "I'm the GC Now" Mindset
Joe's tenure as GC of DaVita began with a whirlwind. On his first day, he was sent to New York to help secure a massive acquisition. While the company won the bid, the ensuing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approval process took 10 months of grueling travel and high-stakes negotiation.
Amidst this chaos, his CEO dropped a bombshell: the company they were acquiring already had a General Counsel, and it was unclear if Joe would keep the top seat in the combined entity. After a moment of doubt, Joe returned the next day with a defining philosophy:
"I’m the GC now, so I’m gonna be the GC until somebody tells me I’m not."
He decided to go "all in" rather than being plagued by doubt, resolving to get the most out of the experience regardless of the outcome. This mindset of ownership, even in the face of uncertainty, is what allowed him to eventually secure the role permanently.
2. Sharpening the Saw in a Crisis
During that intense first year, Joe realized his personal operating systems were "straining under the volume" of the work. In a counterintuitive move, he took two days off in the middle of the massive FTC process to attend a "Getting Things Done" seminar by productivity guru David Allen.
While it seemed crazy to step away when work was stacking up, Joseph realized he "couldn't continue to cut trees down with the saw that I had.". He credits that investment in his own process as the reason he could sustain the volume of work required to succeed.
Joe relies on a specific end-of-day routine to maintain sanity, which he calls his "Big Five":
1. Inbox Zero: Return and file all emails.
2. Calendar Review: Review the day's meetings and capture follow-ups.
3. Task List Update: Mark what is done and identify what is undone.
4. Time Entry: (As he is now an outside lawyer).
5. Pick Tomorrow’s Big Three: Identify the three absolute priorities for the next day.
His most recent addition: 6. Consulting AI (like GCAI) to help prep for the next day's tasks.
3. There is No "Tried and True" Path
One of the biggest myths Joe debunks is the idea that you must follow a specific trajectory, Big Law corporate associate to in-house corporate counsel, to become a GC.
"What I found in talking to people is... I haven't met anybody else who's taken that exact path. Everybody has their own path and they're wildly different."
Whether you are a litigator, a regulatory lawyer, or someone who never worked at a law firm, Joe emphasizes that reaching the GC chair is less about checking specific boxes and more about "accumulating skills and talent that make you valuable to a CEO".
4. The 8 Essentials of In-House Success
Through Inside Counsel Academy, Joe now trains the next generation of legal leaders. He breaks down success into "8 Essentials," divided into personal and organizational effectiveness. Key pillars include:
• The GoPro Mindset: Treating in-house practice with the same dedication as a world-class athlete or musician treats their craft.
• Judgment: A skill that can be taught through decision-making frameworks and after-action reviews.
• Breadth to Depth: The ability to know "something about everything," a skill now supercharged by AI tools.
5. Embracing AI as a Partner
Initially hesitant about AI, Joe dove in after a conversation with his sister and listening to other legal leaders. He moved quickly from shock to acceptance, realizing that learning to use AI is now one of the most critical skills for modern lawyers.
Listen to the full episode for more on how to build genuine confidence, navigate high-stakes M&A, and develop the executive presence required for the C-Suite.