7 EPIC SKILLS FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

There are 7 Essential Skills for Effective Principled Independent Contractors.

- RYAN FAIRBANKS

We call them The 7 E.P.I.C. Skills and they’ll give you staying power or the power to pivot from where you are to where you want to be, whether you’re a land professional, a field/lease operator or a service company serving the oil and gas industry:

1. Negotiation

2. Technical/Title/Trade

3. Leadership

4. Networking

5. Communication

6. Project Management

7. Mastermind/Peer-Advisory Groups

These skills were learned and refined over 18 years as an independent contractor and petroleum landman – and they can be learned.

Negotiation

I start with negotiating because that’s where I started in the industry, and especially for a new independent land professional or contractor, when learning to negotiate contracts, it’s a critical skill to learn.

The art of the deal comes very naturally to some people, while to others it is an acquired skill and taste. Although many would not call me an artist, or think that what I do as work is very creative, it is. As a landman, we create contract rights where they didn’t exist before and going from no contract rights to a signed deal is very much a work of art and passion. It involves listening to understand, capturing the message and relaying it effectively, and working with both sides of the deal to find that thin line where an agreement can be reached and a brand-new baby deal is born. When the contract is signed and the asset owner is paid, you can look upon it with humble pride and say, “Something new was created here.” And then you can hold your head up with dignity and agree that it was a privilege to participate.