THE ART OF THE DETAIL

MAY 22, 2019 – Attention to detail can be critical. Observing a “No Left Turns” sign can avoid a head-on crash on a one-way street. Describing a parcel of real estate as “Lot 1, Block 2” instead of “Lot 2, Block 1” can prevent a legal malpractice case. Returning the pliers to its designated drawer can avoid a reprimand from your spouse. And so on.

My father had a penchant for detail, regardless of the subject matter. Whether he was drafting a work letter, playing the piano, or laying cement blocks, he paid close attention to every detail. In the context of (me!) playing the violin, he once remarked that although an audience might not hear or appreciate every detail regarding every note—pitch, rhythm, tempo, timbre, dynamics, vibrato—in combination, innumerable details add up. The impression of the audience, however schooled or unschooled, is formed by the sum total of the performer’s attention to detail. Let one detail slide here and another slide over there, and before long, the whole performance is sliding down a very slippery slope.

In life and in practicing law, I’ve encountered people with all kinds of relationships with details. My own association with details has become more nuanced than it once was.

In the practice of law, at least, I’ve developed a good grasp as to when details are my “closest, dearest friends” because if I treat them otherwise, they can turn out to be my worst enemies. But I’ve also learned to identify the details that can form an unnecessary barrier to resolution of a given dispute. An example of this latter kind of detail would be the assembly of minutia in support of a dumb argument—especially among three strong arguments and five medium-strength ones, all in a case where the legal fees will exceed the amount at stake if people become too focused on immaterial details.

In my father’s case, I think his attention to detail allowed him to achieve many fine outcomes. I wonder, though, if his concern for detail—and the fear of failure—didn’t inhibit attempts at achievement outside his proven areas of accomplishment. Also, his focus on detail led to a certain impatience with people who didn’t share the importance that he assigned to detail.

Much of one’s relationship to detail is determined by personality. In my experience, people who are detailed in one pursuit are usually similarly detailed in how they approach other endeavors; likewise, people who are “sweeping generalists” in one context are often that way in other circumstances.

However, I think it’s possible to stretch one’s personality—away from one’s “center of proclivity” with regard to one’s relationship with details. Through study, experience, and mindfulness, a person can develop a solid sense for the distinction between “critical” details and “barrier” details.

As I recently heard another lawyer advise, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.” I thought that captured a critical aspect of the art of the detail.

© 2019 Eric Nilsson