Ken Banta Releases New Substack Article on the Rise of the “GC Plus” Leader

Ken Banta, Founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network, has published a new Substack article titled “The Rise of the General Counsel Plus: Why tomorrow’s GC is more than a lawyer.” The piece draws on insights from the Vanguard Network’s 2025 Next Gen GC Program launch, hosted at Foley & Lardner in Washington, D.C..

In the article, Banta explores how the General Counsel role is evolving beyond legal expertise into what he calls the GC Plus. Today’s GC is increasingly expected to serve as strategist, fixer, and enterprise leader, shaping culture, guiding boards, and building trust across the organization.

Through candid observations from faculty and participants, the article highlights the leadership qualities now defining success, including steadiness under pressure, business fluency, courage in the boardroom, and the ability to connect people and priorities.

Banta concludes with a clear message for aspiring GCs: the future belongs to leaders who embrace the GC Plus mindset and deliver impact well beyond the law.

To read the full article on Substack, click here.

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The Vanguard Network is a leadership community and advisory platform that helps senior executives sharpen foresight, strengthen performance, and achieve impact. Through forums, exchanges, and programs, Vanguard convenes leaders across industries to share challenges and solutions in a confidential, collaborative setting.