Most fractional executives don’t act like Execs.
They act like freelancers with better titles.
And it’s not because they lack experience.
It’s because they haven’t made the internal shift.
They’re still thinking like a contractor:
– Waiting for referrals
– Taking any project that pays
– Customizing every proposal
– Reacting to client needs instead of setting the agenda
But the truth is, clients don’t need another pair of hands.
They need leadership.
They need direction.
They need you to own the outcome.
When you operate like a true fractional Exec, you:
✔ Define the strategy—not just deliver the tasks
✔ Drive initiatives—not just participate in them
✔ Set the plan—not just follow it
You stop showing up like a hired gun.
And start showing up like a strategic growth partner.
Which changes everything.
Because when clients see you as a peer—not a vendor—they stop micromanaging, they stop negotiating, and they start paying for outcomes.
The only way to build a high-trust, high-fee, high-leverage business?
Start running your fractional practice like the company it is.
In tomorrow’s email, we’ll talk about how to stand out and win premium deals—by being the obvious choice, not just the safe one.
(If you missed yesterday’s email on what real business leverage looks like, you can find it HERE.)
Fractional powerhouses aren’t born. They’re built.
– Sue
