The point that resonates most here is that fractional work is a path people take after they know what they are doing and who they are, not before, because that reframes it entirely from a fallback option into a deliberate deployment of everything the early career years built. The observation about mission-driven organisations being burned by consultants who arrive with impressive decks and disappear after the project is also important: the fractional leaders who thrive longest are those who show up as partners rather than vendors. What has your experience been in terms of how long it typically takes for that trust layer to establish itself with a new client?
Great question, Charles and thank you for your input. My approach to how I market myself and tell stories is to bridge the trust gap. By allowing clients to get to know me through my writing, if provides them with the confidence of knowing what they are getting up front.
The point that resonates most here is that fractional work is a path people take after they know what they are doing and who they are, not before, because that reframes it entirely from a fallback option into a deliberate deployment of everything the early career years built. The observation about mission-driven organisations being burned by consultants who arrive with impressive decks and disappear after the project is also important: the fractional leaders who thrive longest are those who show up as partners rather than vendors. What has your experience been in terms of how long it typically takes for that trust layer to establish itself with a new client?
Great question, Charles and thank you for your input. My approach to how I market myself and tell stories is to bridge the trust gap. By allowing clients to get to know me through my writing, if provides them with the confidence of knowing what they are getting up front.
Thanks for this interesting read and insider’s perspective.
I came to fractional work unintentionally, following layoffs triggered by USAIDs closure and the difficulty in finding long term FT senior roles.
I’m still sorting through how to get contracts routinely enough to keep the lights on.