Managers often have transactional relationships with freelancers, but to get their best work, it's important to think about what's meaningful to them. When you hire a contractor, ask up front, "What are the conditions you need to do your best work?" Getting to know them personally can help. For example, you may find out that they are caring for an elderly parent and need a position that offers a good deal of flexibility. Or, you might discover that they are most interested in getting their work recognized publicly and would welcome the chance to publish their results or present at a conference. In the same way that you try to make work meaningful for full-time employees, give freelancers what they need (when you can). It may make the difference between adequate and stellar performance — and if your contractors are happy, they're more likely to speak glowingly about your company to others.
Adapted from "Make Work Meaningful for Your Freelancers, Too," by Jon Younger and Alvaro Oliveira
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