Katie Kutskill on Partnership vs. Consultancy for Founders in the Early Stages: How to Get the Help You Need
Finding the right help can be scary when you’re vetting individuals for areas that are not in your wheelhouse. You wouldn’t be looking for them if you were the expert in that area, right? Before diving into price, and the type of work you need, it is important to think about what stage your company is at and what type of working style fits you best.
Consultants come in many shapes and sizes, but more important than their resume is their working style. You need someone who can adjust to the quick pivots and agile development that you as a Founder require, so here’s a quick backstory to explain why “Partnership” may be the best place to start.
Katie Kutskill:
My first experience with Cee was in 7th grade band class. We both played alto saxophone, and I knew from the moment I heard her laugh that I was in good company. We didn’t seem to fall out for any particular reason, but our friendship faded over the years. We rekindled our friendship in 2018 after Cee’s return from Sydney Australia, and magically 5 years later – we’re working on CEEATTLE together.
I mention all of this because even though our friendship ebbed and flowed, we always had an innate trust within each other. Both of us, prioritizing integrity, never shied away from saying how we truly felt. This seemed to make for the perfect working relationship – one where we could move quickly, cut through the bullshit, and create together.
Well, not quite. We had some bumps – and as I can knowingly predict, we are sure to experience more. I, as a traditionally trained automotive corporate employee, came in with a very different perspective on working with Cee. I built a contract, we negotiated verbiage and numbers, and I expected we would then outline expectations and follow a plan of execution. Ohhh…was I wrong. For a few weeks we pushed back and forth, having tough conversations where I would ask for criteria and for a deliverable, and Cee would say – “give it a shot!”. This made my heart sink. Every. Single. Time.
I loved a blank page where innovation, writing, and R&D were 100% within my comfort zone – but to not have an outline of deliverables – timing, parameters, etc. was weird. I didn’t even know the right questions to ask. Because every time I questioned, Cee responded so openly, “I trust you, give it a shot!”.
And what she said next, was one of the biggest “ah-ha” moments of my post-corporate career. Cee said, “do the work the way you feel good working”. I stopped her immediately as tears started to roll down my face and asked her what she even meant. I had NEVER heard someone say that before.
Cee explained that this was a partnership, not a consultant-for-hire and that we are to develop the workload and plans together. Cee emphasized that in partnership, you leverage your strengths and hold hands together to walk through the mud together. If there is a certain method, I felt most comfortable with, that was the right way, not her way – because she believed we both knew what the goal was and the milestone to achieve. There was enough to trust-fall on however we got there by giving me the autonomy to play by my strengths. Yes, on paper I am the consultant, but in our working relationship, I am her Partner. Just like the other team members. We are Partners.
And this my friends, is the difference between partnership and consultants; and is a conversation you must have with yourself, when you search for help, and again once you finally bring them on board. This is because you may desperately need help but are not ready for the operational structure and process. Or, simply put, you need a more flexible working style. Whatever the reason, if you’re needing someone to get in the trenches with you – try seeking a consultant able to Partner with you in working style and output. It’s worked for Cee and me – and I’m certain it will for you too.
