How to Be a More Impactful Team Member on Projects

As a freelancer or independent contractor, it is important that you stand out and strive to be an impactful team member when you are hired by companies to complete projects. While you may enjoy being a freelancer who can pick and choose your clients and assignments, it is still nice to have a company you can turn to for continuous work. So, you need to be an asset and show that you are there to help the team.

It is important to remember that making a good impression takes more than just showing up on time and completing the bare bones of your assignment. Instead, you need to go above and beyond to be indispensable. To help you succeed, we have created this guide on the attributes that employers and independent contractors should prioritize to be a valued member of the team.

Open Communication

When working on a project, communication is key. Freelancers should think about the best ways to reach out and talk to their managers. Keep in mind that email is not ideal for project work. For starters, messages can easily get lost in busy inboxes, so a time-sensitive assignment might disappear when you need it the most. Even if they do go out, the recipient may not be looking at their inbox to see the message in the first place.

However, if you must email, then make sure that your messages are clear and concise so the project manager can get back to you quickly with the answer to your query. If you are given other communication methods, like a phone number or the opportunity for direct chat, then consider reaching out that way for a faster response. Your leader will appreciate your eagerness to get clarification of your tasks.

To stand out, freelancers can also engage with their managers when you have ideas for how to improve a process. Those who stay in the background can be easily forgotten, even if they are hard workers. But by sharing your thoughts and being a part of the conversation, you will stand out, and you may be remembered and called upon for future assignments. If you do have a brilliant idea, rather than just blurting it out, take the time to write out the details so your managers can review the concept in its entirety.

Be Indispensable

Naturally, the more talent that you have, the more desirable you will be for potential projects, so focusing on constant improvement and upskilling will make a big difference. That means accruing as many abilities as you can, be it technical skills like web design, copywriting, or photography, along with soft skills, including the ability to solve problems, manage your time, and multitask as necessary.

As a freelancer, you may have more time in between projects to learn additional talents, so make it a point to do so. Then, when a project manager makes it known that they are looking for people with your particular skills, you need to raise your hand and volunteer. By showing initiative, you will make it clear that you care about your work, and for many employers, work ethic is everything.

You can also be indispensable by being productive once you are in the role. Meet your deadlines while producing quality work, and if you get done early, don’t sit around but instead ask what you can do next. Just make sure not to overdo it. If you skip breaks and overwork yourself to exhaustion, then it will show in the quality of your work.

It is also important to remember that a successful project requires teamwork, so come to work every day ready to collaborate and to help everyone on the team shine. Don’t worry about being lost in the crowd. It is the employees who don’t work as a team that will be noticed for the wrong reasons.

Don’t Fight Feedback

Remember that no matter what level of success you find in life, there is always room to improve. The only way to evolve and be the best employee possible is to accept and learn from feedback. Many of us get defensive when we are critiqued, especially if it is from the manager at a company you just joined, but you must learn to manage your emotions. If you get angry and immediately dispute all feedback, then you may be deemed hard to work with, and your assignment may end before you are ready.

Instead, when a manager approaches you to provide feedback, you should take the chance to really comprehend what they are trying to say. Request to hear specific examples and scenarios and ask any necessary questions so you can approach the same situation in a better way the next time around. Use the information to set goals for yourself. This drive to succeed will not be lost on the project manager.

As you can see, there are many ways that the manager-freelancer relationship can be fruitful and successful. Consider the advice discussed here, and you’ll be a star during your next big project.

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About the Author: Amanda Winstead is a writer from the Portland area. She has a background in communications and a passion for telling stories. Along with writing she enjoys traveling, reading, working out, and going to concerts. If you want to follow her writing journey, or even just say hi you can find her on Twitter.