For years, companies treated independent contractors and freelancers as a temporary fix—a flexible patch for hiring freezes or short-term projects. But according to a new study, that era is over.
The report, “Workforce Reimagined: Unlocking the Power of Blended Teams,” commissioned by Lions & Tigers in partnership with Read the Room Advisors, finds that blended teams—where full-time employees work alongside independent talent—are fast becoming a cornerstone of business strategy, not a contingency plan.
The Numbers Tell the Story
In a workforce shaken by AI disruption, care demands, and shifting career priorities, the traditional employee model is bending under pressure. The study’s data paints a vivid picture:
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97% of leaders said losing access to blended teams would severely disrupt business outcomes.
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79% cited access to specialized, hard-to-find expertise as the top benefit.
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86% reported faster delivery and improved agility.
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83% saw measurable boosts in innovation and experimentation.
“Companies must blend internal and external talent to build adaptive, future-ready teams,” said Brea Starmer, Founder & CEO of Lions & Tigers. “This isn’t just about diversity—it’s about retaining critical talent and sustaining economic momentum.”
The Context: Women Leaving, Independents Rising
The findings arrive as workforce dynamics shift dramatically. In 2025 alone, more than 212,000 women, many mothers of young children, exited the U.S. workforce. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of workers now participate in independent work—a figure projected to hit 50% by 2027.
Blended models, the study suggests, could be the answer to both problems. They allow companies to stay nimble while creating on-ramps for caregivers, women, and other workers sidelined by rigid employment structures.
“We’ve arrived at a workforce era where blended teams are an integral and accepted aspect of work,” said Pam Cohen, PhD, Principal at Read the Room Advisors. “The longer organizations operate with blended teams, the more indispensable they become.”
Closing the AI Skills Gap
The rise of AI is also reshaping labor needs faster than many companies can reskill their workforce. The study highlights that women are 1.5 times more likely than men to need to shift jobs by 2030 due to AI-driven change. Blended teams help close that gap by integrating independent specialists who bring emerging skills—without requiring lengthy internal training cycles.
Why It Matters for Employers
The implications are hard to ignore: blended teams are no longer a workaround. They’re a workforce strategy that helps organizations future-proof against disruption, keep diverse talent engaged, and tap into expertise on demand.
For employers navigating the next phase of digital transformation, the takeaway is simple—your most agile team might not all be on the payroll.
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