Last week, someone left this comment under one of my LinkedIn posts:
“Assuming one has the option to work fractionally (with unknown tenure, compensation, benefits) vs. working most of their time at one great company, why would someone choose fractional work?”
It’s a fair question — but it’s also built on one of the biggest myths in modern work: that a W-2 equals security.
The Illusion of Safety
A W-2 feels safe because the paycheck is predictable, the benefits are bundled, and the title carries weight. But in an at-will world, none of that guarantees stability.
Companies restructure.
Budgets shift.
Roles disappear overnight.
I’ve seen entire teams cut in a single meeting — not because they failed, but because the spreadsheet changed.
That’s not security. That’s concentration risk: 100% of your income tied to one employer’s decisions.
Fractional Flips the Risk
Fractional work diversifies your exposure. Instead of betting your entire livelihood on one company, you spread it across multiple clients.
If one client cuts back, you still have others.
If a contract ends, it’s a setback — not a wipeout.
You own your revenue streams, not HR.
📊 Fractional by the Numbers
52.8% of fractionals earned $100k+ last year, and 62% say they’re satisfied with their business (FRAK, 2024).
78.4% feel optimistic about the industry’s future (FRAK, 2024).
Most engagements last 1–2 years, not “gigs” that vanish overnight (FRAK, 2024).
Globally, more than 120,000 professionals now identify as fractional — double since 2022 — and 142,000 had “fractional” in their LinkedIn titles by Jan 2025 (No-Nonsense Leadership, 2025).
25% of U.S. firms (and 20% in Europe) already use fractional leadership, projected to hit 35% and 30% by the end of 2025 (No-Nonsense Leadership, 2025).
The Irony No One Talks About
What struck me most about that comment is the irony: many of the people questioning fractional work have already opted out of W-2 themselves.
They’ve built businesses.
They hire contractors.
They’ve diversified their own risk.
Deep down, we all know the truth: a W-2 doesn’t guarantee security. It just feels safer because the risk is hidden.
Beyond Security: The Leverage Factor
Fractional isn’t just about reducing risk — it’s about creating upside.
Upside: multiple revenue streams vs. one paycheck.
Control: choosing who you work with, what you work on, and how.
Impact: dropping into high-stakes problems and shipping results fast.
This is why seasoned operators are choosing this path. In fact, more than 70% of fractionals have 15+ years of experience — they’re not dabbling, they’re leveraging decades of expertise into portfolio careers (FRAK, 2024).
The Smarter Bet
So why would anyone choose fractional over one “great” company?
Because W-2 isn’t security. It’s concentration risk.
Fractional work spreads exposure, increases agency, and lets proven operators convert experience into durable leverage.
And if you’ve been curious about making the leap, this is exactly why I built The Fractional Launch Lab — a step-by-step program that helps experienced leaders launch their own fractional business with clarity, structure, and momentum.
Because security doesn’t come from tenure, perks, or being on a payroll.
It comes from skills, relationships, and the ability to create value in the market.
Fractional makes that visible and bankable.
All the best,
Natalie
Fractional Strategic Operations Leader
If you’re a CEO missing your numbers and your team’s stretched too thin, let’s talk — I can fix it.
If you’re ready to start a fractional business, The Fractional Launch Lab will get you there in 10 weeks.
Sources
FRAK, State of Fractional – Industry Report (Summer 2024).
Dan Gwalter / No-Nonsense Leadership, The Global State of Fractional Consulting 2025.
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