The myth of the solo practitioner

I have always found the word solo as in solo practitioner to sound autonomous, John Wayne-like, and detached. Plus solo is so close to silo and the phrase "separate silo" has come to mean something in an organization that is not integrated. I never could figure out an alternative to this word solo to which I do not warm until I read this paragraph from The Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun . . .

The myth of the lone inventor

Everyone knows that Neil Armstrong was the first person on the moon. But how many people helped him get there? Of course there was the rest of the crew: Buzz Aldrin and the oft-forgotten Michael Collins. Then, just like in the movies, there were the dozens of worried-looking mission-control staff on the ground, and notables like Van Braun—intellectual forces who drove the entire program.

But what about the people who made the many complicated parts needed to construct Apollo 11? And what about the managers, designers, and planners who conceived the ideas, organized engineering teams, and coordinated years of work? The numbers add up fast. More than 500,000 people worked on the NASA effort to put a person on the moon. For Armstrong to succeed required contributions from an entire metropolis worth of people, not including the millions of taxpayers who paid the bills, and the president who challenged a nation to believe. Neil Armstrong is a household name only because his contribution was the most visible. However, the most visible contribution isn't necessarily the most significant.

Who is involved in a solo's contribution? Of course, any staff but who else? Perhaps spouses, children, mentors, past professors, parents, vendors, strategic alliances, churches, clients, bar associations, service clubs, what else?

When someone asks me what I do with lawyers and law firms, the follow-up question is often "are you solo?" or "are you alone?" I have never felt comfortable saying yes because of the reasons described above, but have not found a good way to respond. Perhaps next time I am going to say something like this: "I have no formal partners, associates, or staff. But I am glad to say that, in one way or another, many people are part of the fabric of my practice." Or maybe: "It takes a village to raise a solo."

Any suggestions?

Comments

[Susan Cartier Liebel]

How about..."I am the captain of my ship." This tells the world you control your work but there are others who help you accomplish your goals?

[Julie Fleming-Brown]

Stephanie, I completely agree. Your comments put me in mind of John Donne's "no man is an island, entire of itself," though happily without the meditation on death. How I might respond to questions about my "solo status" would likely follow. I work by myself, but that work is informed and enriched by many others.

I also like Susan's suggested "captain of my ship" metaphor.

[Gini Nelson]

Hi Stephanie. I've been a solo with a home office and no employees for years. The ABA-sponsored listserve "Solosez" has been one of my "necessaries" since 1995 or 1996 when I discovered the internet. It was and is a solo's "water cooler" for jokes, politics. amd discussion of the business of law as well as a resource for legal discussions and aid. The core participants become legal colleaques and the breadth and depth of help one can get takes your breath away. More than than, the core participants become friends. I've met up with Solosezzers in Washington, DC; Seattle; San Francisco; and stayed overnight with one in Montana when I have travelled there; and also here in Santa Fe when they have travelled through here.

I do think some "solos" are more solitary than other "solos" in their personality preferences, and that some solo practices lend themselve more to a solo practice than others. The main characteristic I attach to the concept of "sole practitioner" is "independent". The quality of life and practice for a solo varies enormously, depending, I think, as with many things, on the mindfullness and discipline they bring to their life and practice. I see "bad" solos, and "good" solos, and everything in between, just as I see "bad" corporate and "good" corporate and everything in between.

As always, Stephanie, you bring rich insights and questions into your blogging. Thank you.
Gini
www.EngagingConflicts.com

[Scott Berkun]

I hope this doesn't confuse the matter by throwing another word into the mix, but I refer to myself as independent all the time. I like that word better than solo: I don't think using that word discounts all the help I get from people - and it does clarify to clients or acquaintances how I work.

(And P.S. Hope you enjoy the rest of the book)