Whose fault is it then if a lawyer impedes progress on an important deal? In my opinion, the fault lies with the business side. Lawyers provide a service - just like consultants. You wouldn't let a consultant run your business, so what's up with placing all the blaim on lawyers if deals get stuck? It's the business side's fault for not properly managing their lawyer and not telling him what exactly he is there for.
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what the author is suggesting. For example, notice things like,
"When I was a younger entrepreneur my answer would have been, “Ok. See if you can get us better terms. Call me when you’re done.” This time I said, “Make a list of the issues in bullet form, send them to me and I’ll get back to you.”"
My interpretation was that he is saying, "don't let your lawyer run your company strategy, that's your job", and this is fundamentally what you are saying as well (though with different focus).
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what the author is suggesting. For example, notice things like,
"When I was a younger entrepreneur my answer would have been, “Ok. See if you can get us better terms. Call me when you’re done.” This time I said, “Make a list of the issues in bullet form, send them to me and I’ll get back to you.”"
My interpretation was that he is saying, "don't let your lawyer run your company strategy, that's your job", and this is fundamentally what you are saying as well (though with different focus).