I. The strength of the pack is the wolf.
When dealing with clients, know that you are the one helping them. That puts you in a position of power. However, don’t abuse that power by acting arrogant, snobbish, selfish or self-centered. Although you are important, there are many other freelancers in the world for clients to fish and choose from.
A good leader can dominate without patronizing or degrading others. Alpha males are strong, invaluable leaders within a pack that is neither a democracy nor a dictatorship. In the words of Cesar Millan, be “calm and assertive,” and your balanced energy will garner respect.
II. The strength of the wolf is the pack.
We are interdependent beings, meaning we all thrive on each others’ efforts – directly or indirectly. In a pack, a wolf will not survive well without the help of his companions (for hunts). The same can be applied to freelancers. If a project seems too big to handle, look at outsourcing to other fellow freelancers. This will not only help to complete a project on time, but it will also help to build relationships.
We must not forget those around us, even if we are working for ourselves.
III. Boundaries, Limits and Rules
This is a no-brainer. We all know that, in the wild, animals obey territorial rules, limitations and boundaries. We can apply this to freelance work by educating our clients on what is expected when working together. We can also set boundaries by laying out contracts or terms of agreements, or we could simply post a Production Process for Clients page on our websites. Either way, be sure to lay down the rules and boundaries before starting on any project.
IV. Know your role
The reasons why wolves work so well together is because each of them have a purpose – and they all know their roles within the pack. Although we could argue that freelancers are “lone wolves” when dealing with clients, we will often find ourselves creating small, temporary packs for particular jobs. So it would be best to come into theses relationship with a “pack mentality,” evaluating each others’ roles and sticking to them throughout the duration of the project. This will, in turn, cause less headaches and promote more balance between us and the clients.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great commonsense article. I like the way it is presented and broken down into easily digested chunks (hunting reference there). If you want to know more about the wolf and its power to teach, check this article: Wolf Spirit.
Thanks again Scott. I remember your 'Wolf Spirit' article but it's nice to go through it again. I've even highlighted sections on the page using a Firefox extension called Diigo – ever heard of it?
Never heard of Diigo. I will check it out. Thanks agains George.
Oh, and the "easily digestible chunks" is courtesy of your wife, so please thank her again for me!