Though contingent labor has always been part of the workforce, at least to some extent, the Great Realization has spurred the engagement of contractors in larger numbers and in roles that were previously considered employee-only. Inclusion of contingent talent in a blended workforce is becoming the norm as corporations tap independent professionals to access critical…

Not long ago, enterprise talent acquisition focused exclusively on technical expertise—what we call “hard skills” today. Candidate selection was based on level of knowledge in their subject areas, and independent professionals stressed technical experience in their marketing activities. Soft skills—the behaviors and competencies that foster teamwork and collaborative results—were downplayed or ignored. Things have changed.…

Managing independent contractors can be a tricky zone to navigate. You have to find a balance between giving them the support and feedback you need while maintaining a client-contractor relationship for compliance purposes. Unless it is specified in a contract, independent contractors have the right to choose when, where, and how they work. Over-supervising or…