They also do not miss the internal politics and career management involved in staying inside a traditional firm. They are clear about what is important to them: great client work, intellectual challenge, the flexibility and control to choose where, when and with whom they work, and a good work-life balance – and independent work is delivering on all these dimensions. Interestingly, their traditionally employed peers also find these things important, but their satisfaction levels with most of these elements are significantly lower.HBR: Why Consultants Quit Their Jobs to Go Independent