Being such freedom-seekers, self-employed business owners often aren't prepared to be an employer, but we can find ourselves in that role whether we're prepared for it or not. This is a case of what works for you: your independent thinking can also work against you having to get along with others, whether it's employees, contractors, or clients. On today’s episode, I speak with Michael Bungay Stanier about strategies for building working relationships that provide freedom rather than feeling like bondage. When bad working relationships can negatively impact our ability to show up as our best selves, what tools can we use to shape the best possible relationship together? Michael introduces us to the five questions we need to ask in our keystone conversation with anyone we are entering a working relationship with. Every relationship has potential, and we need to be intentional in building them. Join us to learn how to overcome the challenges of being a self-employed business owner and build successful working relationships.   Michael Bungay Stanier is the author of six books which between them have sold more than a million copies. He’s best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of the century and already recognized as a classic. His new book, How to Begin, helps people be more ambitious for themselves and for the world. Michael was a Rhodes Scholar and plays the ukulele badly. He’s Australian, and lives in Toronto, Canada. Learn more at www.MBS.works.     And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.   Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com.   Michael Bungay Stanier, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world.   Guest Contact – www.MBS.works How to Work with (Almost) Anyone: Five Questions for Building the Best Possible Relationships by Michael Bungay Stanier Michael Bungay Stanier on LinkedIn (in/michaelbungaystanier) Michael Bungay Stanier on Facebook (@mbs.works) Michael Bungay Stanier on Instagram (@mbs_works) Michael Bungay Stanier on Twitter (@mbs_works) Michael Bungay Stanier on YouTube (@mbs_works) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you –   ·       The Self-Employed Business Institute- You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! ·       Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. ·       Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business