Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Episode: 5 Lessons for Navigating New Beginnings with Amber Walsh of McGuireWoods LLP
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Amber Walsh (Executive Committee, McGuireWoods LLP; Healthcare & Private Equity Leader)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker welcomes Amber Walsh to discuss five key lessons for successfully handling new beginnings—whether it's starting a job, heading off to college, or otherwise stepping into the unknown. Drawing from personal experience—including sending her first child to college—Amber shares actionable insights for thriving in new environments. The conversation blends professional advice with heartfelt personal anecdotes, making it a valuable listen (and read) for anyone embarking on a new chapter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Prepare… But Don’t Over-Prepare

[02:21]

• Amber emphasizes the importance of preparation to ease into a new environment but warns against over-preparing to the point of inauthenticity or rigidity:
  • Know logistical basics: where to park, where your classes or office are, who key people are.
  • Prepare to a comfort level that allows you to be authentic and adaptive on day one.
  • Over-preparation can lead to missing the ability to listen and adjust.

Notable Quote:

"You don't prepare so much that you're going to show up unable to listen or show up inauthentic and not really being yourself because you have over-prepared yourself... If you over-prepare, it sometimes backfires and you can become too rigid." – Amber Walsh [03:33]

2. Seize Opportunities

[04:35]

• Take initiative in new environments—opportunities may be presented or might require you to seek them out:
  • Ideal time, especially when young or new in a situation, to explore and say "yes."
  • You'll learn what fits best only after trying different things.
  • Safety and self-awareness are still important.

Notable Quote:

"You don't sit on the sidelines, you don't wait in hem and haw. You jump in, you see if it suits you and then you filter it out later after you've had the experience." – Amber Walsh [04:55]

Scott’s Input:

"Until you're a certain age, say yes to everything, and then double down on things that you really love." – Scott Becker [06:05]

3. Listen More Than You Speak

[06:27]

• Especially for those used to leading or having strong personalities, it can be valuable to consciously listen and absorb:
  • In new leadership roles, boards, or jobs, listening first helps you learn the new culture and dynamics.
  • Active listening helps you become present and aware of the group’s needs and processes.

Notable Quote:

"When you're in a brand new environment, certainly the advice is not to keep your mouth shut. People do want to hear from you. But it is a time that I have found that I need to tilt towards being a listener more than a talker." – Amber Walsh [06:48]

4. Stay Grounded in What Makes You Successful

[08:05]

• New situations should not mean abandoning routines and habits that have historically kept you healthy, centered, and successful:
  • Know what you personally need—whether it’s exercise, church, time with art, etc.—and don’t let newness displace those habits for long.
  • Loss of these vital routines can catch up with you unexpectedly.

Notable Quote:

"You cannot get away from those things for too long before the absence of those things will start to take its toll." – Amber Walsh [09:30]

Scott’s Input:

"You could sort of trick yourself into thinking you're okay. And then sooner or later those things always catch up to you." – Scott Becker [10:25]

5. Regularly Check In with Yourself

[11:04]

• Especially in new environments where your established support network may not be present, frequent self-assessment is key:
  • Daily or weekly personal check-ins help you adjust quickly, recognize what's working, and troubleshoot issues.
  • Reassessment is your own responsibility in a new environment.

Notable Quote:

"It's that kind of daily reassessment and regrouping at the end of the day and maybe at the end of a week that I think is really centering." – Amber Walsh [12:17]

Timestamped Summary of the Five Lessons

[12:56] Amber summarizes:

• Prepare, but don’t over-prepare—find the right balance for comfort.
• Seize opportunities—extend yourself to try new things.
• Listen more than you talk—be an active, present listener.
• Know and honor the personal habits or routines that ground you.
• Check in daily or weekly—reassess, adapt, and take initiative for your own growth.

Memorable Personal Moment

[14:52]

• Amber gives a heartfelt shout-out to her children, Joseph (starting as a tight end/slot receiver at Johns Hopkins Football) and Abigail (a newly licensed sophomore and avid athlete), and her husband Tim.

Notable Quote:

“We’re really, really proud of him, really happy for him, really excited… And of course, my husband, Tim, who… is kind of the foundation of the family sportsmania.” – Amber Walsh [15:26]

Tone and Style

The discussion is candid, encouraging, and practical, blending Amber Walsh’s legal and business expertise with warmth and relatable parenting anecdotes. Both speakers keep the advice actionable while sharing personal stories that reinforce lessons for professionals, students, and anyone facing change.