Some managers worry that hiring a freelancer means you will have to take a leap of faith. You won’t know that person’s work ethic or professional personality. But in reality, hiring and managing a freelancer doesn’t need to be scary. Instead, it can transform your team’s work.

Today’s guest is Matthew Mottola. Matthew is a leader in ethically creating the remote freelance economy. He is CEO of Venture L, Author of The Human Cloud and a Forbes Contributor.

Matthew and I talk about working with freelancers - how the Pandemic has changed things, how to overcome common challenges of working with freelancers, and how to optimize the entire lifecycle of hiring, onboarding, collaborating and more.

Members of the Modern Manager community get Matthew’s Leadership Deck To Hire Freelancers and his Worksheets To Identify The Work And Hire Your First Freelancer. Get these bonuses when you join the Modern Manager community.

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Read the related blog article: 6 Essential Things To Know About Managing Freelancers

KEEP UP WITH MATTHEW

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmottola/
• Resources: https://humancloud.substack.com/
• Book:https://www.amazon.com/Human-Cloud-Changemakers-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1400219736
• Twitter:https://twitter.com/matthewrmottola

Key Takeaways:

• Freelancers are a good alternative to an expensive agency or hiring a full-time employee. They specialize in a specific skill set for a set amount of time. 
• Freelancers don’t have to be temporary. If you like them, you can take them on to future projects for years to come.
• Because they don’t feel as fearful of losing their job, freelancers may be more forthright with critical, helpful feedback about your work culture. 
• Give freelancers feedback; everyone enjoys growth opportunities.
• Involve them in your team; everyone benefits from a sense of belonging.
• The number one mistake managers make with freelancers is micromanaging. They are the experts. Be honest about what you don’t know and give them space to do what they do best.
• Begin with small projects first instead of everything at once, so you can check in early and ensure you’re on the same page. 
• Don’t spend as much time onboarding. Build trust and teach them the culture by working together. 
• Don’t worry if they don’t fit into the team culture. Innovation comes from the outside. Cherish their outside perspective. 
• Let them pitch ideas. Freelancers can bypass HR red tape that often slows down salaried employees and try out new roles and ideas. 

mamie@mamieks.com