No one can manage you if you don't give them permission to do so. But if you are interested in accomplishing as much as you are capable of, then I believe there are good reasons to grant that permission.

Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value surprisingly quickly.

If your clients aren't actively telling their friends about you, maybe your work isn't as great as you think it is.

Before a leader can be accepted, let alone succeed, autonomous professionals must agree to be influenced by that person.

Professionals have to decide on which subjects they are prepared to give nagging rights

When did you feel most fulfilled? When did you impress yourself, or otherwise feel most proud of yourself?

Success comes from doing what you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, how can it be called success?