Andy Cooke and Sam Ross on Communication, Performance and Ethics

# Andy Cooke and Sam Ross on Communication, Performance and Ethics > We step aside for this one - no hosts, no scripts - just two Chief Legal Officers of disruptive technology companies (Perk and Remote) in conversation. [Read on Substack](https://lawwhatsnext.substack.com/p/andy-cooke-and-sam-ross-on-communication) · 2025-11-27 · Law What's Next --- What begins with nursery vomiting bugs quickly evolves into a refreshingly honest exploration of what it means to lead a legal function in disruptive technology companies. Andy and Sam dissect the tension between being “bold, brief, and gone” versus staying in the room to build genuine relationships, challenge the limiting “trusted advisor” archetype, and wrestle with when precision matters less than context and authentic communication. Watch or Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple They don’t just theorise - they get personal about the moments that test you: deciding whether someone’s lying on an expense claim; navigating board dynamics when you’re the least financially fluent person in the room, and maintaining ethical standards when the stakes are existential. But this isn’t a heavy-handed meditation on professional responsibility. The conversation crackles with levity and self-awareness - from Sam’s admission that he deliberately uses humour to “pierce through” hierarchy, to their shared recognition that being fallible and human is part of doing the job right. Both find genuine joy in what they do, drawing energy from learning from others and building networks that pay dividends years later. It’s a masterclass in thoughtful leadership wrapped in the warmth of two friends who clearly respect each other’s craft - and aren’t afraid to acknowledge when they get it wrong. We hope you enjoy 🙏 Tom & Alex Thanks for reading Law://WhatsNext! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share