Last week, I took my car to the tire shop—it was time to replace those old, worn dinosaurs. The front tires were completely bald, and while the rear ones had some life left, I decided to change all four for uniformity. When the salesperson announced the price, I realized just how expensive replacing tires has become.

As I drove away with a lighter wallet but a safer car, I started wondering: after more than a century of automotive innovation, why do we still need to replace tires so often? Couldn’t we invent indestructible tires through radical advancements in chemistry or engineering?

My inner voice replied: that’s a naive question. Tires must wear out as part of their dynamic relationship with the road. The friction generated between tire and asphalt creates the grip that keeps the car stable and safe. Without that friction—and the inevitable erosion—there would be no traction, no stability. The car would slide uncontrollably, like on snow or ice.

This interplay between two finite elements—the tire and the road—creates the stability needed to move forward. The same is true for life and business: sacrifices are the friction that keeps us on course toward our goals. Our finite time, energy, and resources are constantly consumed to sustain motion toward our infinite values: love, achievement, community, and belonging.

Here are three real-world examples of how this analogy applies specifically to law firm leaders and partners:

1. Investing in Technology: Sacrificing Short-Term Profitability for Long-Term Efficiency

A managing partner of a mid-sized law firm once hesitated to invest in a comprehensive case management system because of the upfront cost. However, after calculating the time saved in billing, document retrieval, and client communications, the investment became a no-brainer. While it cut into the firm’s profits for the year, the system streamlined operations, improved client satisfaction, and freed up associates to focus on high-value work.

• Analogy: Like a tire wearing down to create traction, the firm sacrificed short-term earnings to create the operational grip needed for future growth and efficiency.

• Takeaway: Investing in the right tools and technology, even at a cost, lays the foundation for sustainable success.

2. Building Talent Pipelines: Sacrificing Billable Hours for Mentorship

At a boutique firm, the partners made a deliberate decision to devote a portion of their billable time to mentoring young associates. While this temporarily reduced their personal revenue, it resulted in a stronger team, better morale, and reduced turnover—ultimately saving money in recruitment and training costs.

• Analogy: Just as the friction between tire and asphalt ensures stability, mentoring ensures that a firm’s culture and expertise remain aligned, providing stability and a pipeline of future leaders.

• Takeaway: Time spent nurturing talent today prevents destabilizing turnover tomorrow.

3. Managing Difficult Clients: Sacrificing Revenue for Firm Reputation

A law firm partner once faced a challenging decision: keep a high-paying client whose behavior was toxic to the firm’s staff or let them go. Despite the financial impact, the partner decided to terminate the relationship. This not only improved morale but also sent a strong message about the firm’s commitment to its values, attracting better clients and talent in the long run.

• Analogy: Like tires adapting to rough roads, firms must sometimes endure short-term friction to stay true to their values and maintain their long-term trajectory.

• Takeaway: Sacrificing problematic revenue helps reinforce a firm’s reputation, leading to greater stability and alignment with core values.

A Leader’s Reflection

Just as tires must hit the road to enable motion, we must allow the rubber of our sacrifices to meet the road of our vision. Whether it’s investing in technology, developing your team, or prioritizing firm culture over revenue, it’s through this friction that we maintain our trajectory and move forward, step by finite step, toward our infinite aspirations.

A Final Question

What sacrifices are you making today? Are they creating the traction you need to take your business where you want it to go?

Remember, in life and leadership, progress isn’t about avoiding friction—it’s about making the wear count where it matters most.