Inc. — Leadership

How to Decide Whether Internal Growth or Outside Talent Fits Your Scaling Strategy

University of South Florida researchers examined eight years of training and hiring data from 174 large U.S. law firms, revealing that resource‑rich, older firms tend to build talent internally while younger, smaller firms favor external hiring. The study highlights the strategic role of senior staff as mentors and the financial capacity needed for sustained upskilling. Parallel surveys show a growing industry shift toward skills‑first recruitment and higher employee engagement when upskilling opportunities exist. These insights challenge the notion that talent strategy is purely cultural, framing it as a strategic lever tied to firm capacity and market volatility.