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Innovation Needs Direction

Why legal tech leadership is about purpose – not just platforms


A futuristic scene shows a businessman in a suit confidently walking alone along a glowing digital pathway toward a bright light on the horizon. Behind him, a group of people stand hesitantly at a crossroads with multiple glowing signposts pointing in different directions. The setting is a dark, grid-like digital landscape with a night sky above, and a BlindSpot Solutions logo appears in the top right corner.
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs

That quote opens Chapter 19 of Beyond the Features, and it’s a timely reminder for anyone navigating the flood of tools, trends, and buzzwords in legal tech right now.


Every firm says they’re innovating. But what does that actually mean?


Are we talking about chasing every new tool that hits the market? Or choosing the right ones for the right reasons?


Not all innovation is created equal

A lot of what gets labelled “innovation” in law firms is just… activity. Something new gets introduced – maybe a chatbot, an AI tool, a dashboard – and it’s announced as a big step forward. But when you dig deeper, it’s often unclear what problem it’s solving or how success will be measured.


That’s where things start to unravel.


Innovation isn’t about having the most tools. It’s about using the right ones to make things better – for your team, your clients, and your business. That’s the distinction Chapter 19 explores in depth.


Leaders innovate with intent – not impulse

Firms that lead with innovation do things differently. They don’t just follow trends or react to vendor pitches. They pause. They reflect. And they ask better questions:


  • What are we trying to improve?

  • Who will this help?

  • How will we know it worked?

  • Does this align with how we serve our clients?


That kind of thinking is what separates leaders from followers.


It’s not about being first to market. It’s about being first to create meaningful impact.


Following trends ≠ strategy

Let’s be honest – the legal tech market is noisy. Every week, there’s a new tool claiming to transform something. And it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind if you’re not trying the latest thing.


But the firms that thrive aren’t the ones chasing every trend. They’re the ones charting their own path. They know what matters most to their clients and their people – and they prioritise accordingly.


They also give themselves permission to say not yet or even not ever. And that takes confidence.


What meaningful innovation actually looks like

In practice, strategic innovation tends to look less flashy and more grounded. It’s:


  • Fixing clunky processes before layering on new tools

  • Listening to staff and clients before selecting solutions

  • Building internal capability – not just buying software

  • Measuring success based on real outcomes – not vanity metrics


This doesn’t mean you need a massive innovation budget or a dedicated lab. It just means being thoughtful. Curious. Purposeful.


Time for a pulse check?

If you’re unsure where your firm stands, try asking:


  • Are we innovating with a clear goal – or just trying not to get left behind?

  • Do our tech investments reflect what we actually need – or what’s getting the most hype?

  • Is there a strategy behind our innovation – or is it just project-by-project?


If the answers feel fuzzy, that’s okay. It just means now might be the right time to rethink your approach.


Final thoughts

Innovation is important. But innovation without direction is just noise.


The firms that lead don’t just adopt new tools – they do it with purpose. They know what they’re aiming for. And they understand that innovation is less about being seen to act and more about creating lasting, positive change.


That’s how you lead. That’s how you stand out.


You can book a free 30-minute discovery consultation via the button below. Let’s talk through where you’re at and how to build an innovation strategy that cuts through the hype – and actually helps your firm move forward.



A black background features a bright green figure standing at a podium, addressing an audience of green figures in front of a large light bulb with circuit lines inside it, symbolising innovation. On the right, a quote reads: “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs. The BlindSpot Solutions logo appears at


Get the Book

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If the topic covered in this blog post resonated with you…

You’ll find even more insight, structure, and practical guidance in Beyond the Features – a straight-talking resource designed to help law firms make smarter technology decisions, drive meaningful change, and avoid the common traps of transformation.


The book builds on ideas like those discussed here, offering frameworks, reflections, and actionable advice drawn from real-world experience.


Prefer digital? Get an instant download PDF version of the book on my website


Prefer print? The book is also available in paperback on Amazon.




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