An Audience with Dorcas Crawford, Managing Director, The Better Way

The route for any business leader to achieving their ultimate goal is a complex and personal journey - one that can be lonely and difficult when undertaken as a solo traveller.  Dorcas Crawford talks about the path she chose, and how she finally reached her destination with “a little help from her friends” in the Alchemist’s Forum.

I grew up on the Springfield Road in West Belfast and attended Springfield Primary School before moving on to Girls Model in North Belfast. As a secondary school our sixth form was small and not many went on to university – I think I was only the second or third person at that time, to go on to study law at Queens University.

After graduating, I wanted to join the Bar and fortunately didn’t make it in the first round, so I took a year out. My plan was to re-apply to the Bar the following year, but instead, I got my first job in Edwards & Co in 1987, which I loved, and I therefore stayed on, trained and qualified as a Solicitor. I became a partner in 1995, Senior Partner in 2005 and in 2015, then bought the practice exclusively and was fortunate to see it double in size over those years.

For as long as I can remember I have always set high standards for myself. I strive daily to maintain those standards with the quality of the work I produce and thrive on the feeling of knowing that I have done the best I possibly can.

My goal in life was always to be a practical lawyer, seeing the law as a way to find solutions for my clients. Over the years, and with much life experience under my belt, my own personal view of law changed. I’ve always believed that successful leaders look beyond the clear path. They review and reassess their goals regularly and despite setbacks, have the openness and willingness to do, whatever it will take, to reach their goals.  

So fast forward 25 years - I realized the law does not always have the solutions that people often need. That is when mediation piqued my interest. I trained in London in 2008 and became an accredited mediator and after a few years I began to develop my mediation practice within the firm. At the time, I was working with a personal development coach who helped me plan out my goals for the next 10 years, including my personal plans as well as the development and direction of Edwards & Co.

I began to try to step back from Edwards & Co, but it increasingly required more and more management time – there was always something drawing me back into the business day to day.  It was a hugely successful business, having doubled in size under my tenure, but over the years the business changed, as did the legal landscape, and I began to feel ready for a different approach. I believed I had taken the firm as far as I could, and it was time for a new chapter to begin. That is when I decided to sell and focus my time and energy on my new goals and building The Better Way, my mediation practice.

I made the final decision to sell in in 2019/20, but as the owner of a successful law practice, I was on my own when it came to key business decision making and I needed a support network. It was lonely at the top.

On the search for a peer support system, I found the Alchemists Forum on LinkedIn and after speaking with Alan, who was just setting the group up at the time, I knew it was the right support network for me. I joined in March 2018 as one of the founding members, and I never looked back.

The Alchemist’s Forum provided me with huge support on both a personal and professional level. During the process of selling my business there was a time where the future was looking very bleak and uncertain. After opening up to the other members on our weekly call, I will never forget the genuine offering of unequivocal support I received.

It gave me access to a safe space where I could speak about what was truly on my mind in a confidential setting, with other leaders outside of my industry. The group provided me with trust and support as well as ideas to help me figure out solutions when needed. At a time in my life where I was experiencing a lot of change and had difficult decisions to make, this was imperative. Each member genuinely wanted to help, and I was provided with practical advice, tips, daily texts and messages from fellow members just checking I on me. I received true friendship from all members, and I was very thankful for their support.

During my time at Edwards & Co, I built a successful business whilst raising my three children. If I wasn’t working, I was spending time with my family. I didn’t have any ‘me’ time, any time to focus on hobbies.

Now, running The Better Way, I’m finally doing something that genuinely fulfils me. I work three days a week, I can now ‘switch off’ from work and manage my own free time, pursuing my hobbies and personal goals.

I would absolutely recommend the Alchemists Forum to other business leaders who, like me, are trying to navigate the uncertain world of selling a business. Leaving a business is not for the faint hearted and the support I received from the members was amazing.

Greater Decisions > Greater Thinking > Greater Performance 

Let the Alchemists Forum help you on your path of change and discovery in 2022. Contact Alan Branagh  alan@alchemistsforum.com for more information.