No matter who you end up working with or how you decide to compensate them, there are some very basic ground rules that you should establish when working with any outside resource.
Ground rules govern the functional ways and means of engagement. We are not always good at communicating with one another, but the ground rules we create, commit to, and follow will help us build and strengthen healthy working relationships.
Ground Rules for Consultant and Client
• Test assumptions and inferences.
• Share all relevant information.
• Focus on interests, not positions.
• Be specific—use examples.
• Focus on issues, not personalities.
• Agree on what important words mean.
• Explain the reasons behind one’s statements, questions, ...
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