From Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: My Journey into Fractional Leadership
There is comfort in the cubicle but energy in the spaces
A breath of fresh air
After years entrenched in the corporate world, where meetings often felt like episodes of "Survivor: Boardroom Edition," I decided to pivot. Three months into offering fractional CMO, CPO & GTM services through Babylonsixty, I've discovered a realm where innovation thrives, decisions are swift, and every day brings a new challenge (or six!).
The corporate comfort zone - Pros and Cons
In the corporate sphere, predictability was the norm. Regular paycheques, defined roles, and structured processes provided stability and comfort. However, this often came at the expense of agility and innovation. Bureaucratic red tape, prolonged decision-making, and a resistance to change were commonplace. It was like trying to steer a cruise ship with a broken canoe paddle!
Embracing the startup spirit
Transitioning to the startup ecosystem has been invigorating and terrifying in equal measures. The energy is palpable, decisions are made in real-time, and there's an inherent willingness to experiment and learn. It's akin to trading in a typewriter for a tablet—liberating and efficient. Success can come as quickly as failure. However, embracing every win, no matter how small, can instill a sense of belief.
Celebrate every win, no matter how small
Five key learnings from my transition
Adaptability is crucial - Startups are dynamic. Being flexible and open to change is essential. Having strong opinions, weakly held, is something you need to embrace quickly.
Time management mastery- Juggling multiple clients requires impeccable scheduling and prioritisation. Preparation is key. Focus is critical.
Continuous learning - The startup world is ever-evolving. Staying updated with the latest trends and technologies is non-negotiable. Be naturally curious, all the time!
Effective communication - Clear and concise communication ensures alignment with diverse teams and stakeholders. Be action-oriented. Time is money here.
Building resilience - Not every experiment yields success. Embracing failures as learning opportunities has been pivotal. Fail fast but fail small. Micro experiments work best here.
The rise of fractional leadership
The demand for fractional roles, especially in marketing, product, and Go-To-Market strategies, is on the rise. Companies benefit from seasoned expertise without the overhead of full-time hires. This model offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and access to a diverse skill set. If the choice is a junior full-time hire over a part-time experienced senior leader, organisations are seeing the benefit in terms of action and results.
This point is not lost on me, however. Having spent a career encouraging growth and supporting, mentoring, and coaching less experienced team members, I understand the importance of growing people. This will continue to be incredibly important to me, and I’d encourage organisations to continue to value and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
Fractional leadership is not a replacement here. It has its place. A moment in an organisation’s timeline. Remember, the role of fractional leaders is to embed process and good practice. The success of any fractional leader should be measured once you leave, not while you are there.
Fractional leadership success should be measured once you leave, not while you are there
Conclusion
The past three months have reaffirmed my belief in the power of agility, innovation, and the right leadership at the right time. Fractional roles offer a unique blend of experience and flexibility, enabling startups to scale efficiently. Working with like-minded individuals, where the unknown is embraced and not feared, has been enlightening.
Is your organisation ready to harness the power of fractional leadership to drive growth and innovation? If so, reach out and find out how your business can benefit from fractional leadership capability.
