Navigating Talent Acquisition: The Strategic Role of Fractional Staffing
In the world of non-profits, the search for top-tier talent is not just a challenge but a...
6 min read
Fractional leaders are tasked with the unique challenge of integrating seamlessly into existing teams. To uncover strategies for becoming an embedded member of the team, we sought advice from HR consultants and executives. From building personal connections beyond projects to emphasizing active execution, here are five invaluable tips shared by these professionals.
- Build Personal Connections Beyond Projects
- Bridge Business and Technical Goals
- Align Goals and Participate Strategically
- Set Clear Expectations and Communicate Progress
- Emphasize Active Execution
Build Personal Connections Beyond Projects
As a fractional leader, one of the most significant challenges you face is being perceived not just as an external consultant, but as an embedded member of the team. This perception is crucial for effectively guiding the CEO or founder and the broader organization toward success. Here's a key piece of advice for fractional leaders looking to bridge this gap:
Building strong, personal connections with all team members, not just the CEO or founder, is essential. This goes beyond merely understanding their professional challenges; it's about showing genuine interest in their aspirations, concerns, and personal journeys. Regular, informal interactions can be incredibly effective. When team members see you as someone who cares about them beyond the confines of the project, you transition from being viewed as an external hire to a trusted ally in their professional journey.
Active listening is a powerful tool. Paying close attention to what team members say, and equally importantly, what they don't say, helps you understand their perspectives deeply. Displaying empathy towards their challenges and aspirations makes your advice and actions more tailored and relevant, solidifying your position as a key part of the team.
It is also important to demonstrate a deep understanding of and show alignment with the company's vision and goals. When you articulate how your efforts and strategies are directly contributing to the broader objectives of the organization, it shows that you are not just a temporary fix but a strategic part of the long-term journey.
While it's essential to align with the team, don't shy away from providing honest, constructive feedback. This can include offering new perspectives on challenges or suggesting innovative solutions. Providing insight and not being a 'yes-man' can set you apart as a valuable contributor who is invested in the company's success.
By focusing on these areas, you can transition from being seen as “just” an external consultant to a trusted member of the team, effectively guiding the CEO, founder, and the organization toward achieving their goals.
Tamica Sears, HR Consultant, Sears Coaching
Bridge Business and Technical Goals
I tend to target small companies and leaders in technical fields that need to add business and strategy leadership to launch and grow. Then, I become the knowledgeable bridge to their organization's ability to set and achieve both business and technology goals.
I've found that these technical experts value having unbiased team members who bring diverse perspectives somewhat more than those with general business acumen who need technical-oriented strategy leadership. The latter tend to value internal full-time staff relationships more than embedding a fractional leader into their teams.
Todd Kielkopf, President, Kielkopf Advisory Services
Align Goals and Participate Strategically
As a fractional marketing executive, I embed myself within the team by aligning goals with the CEO's vision and actively participating in strategic discussions.
Regular communication, proactive support, and collaboration with other departments demonstrate dedication and accountability. I establish trust and integrate seamlessly into the team dynamic, earning recognition as an essential member of the leadership team.
Robert Gilbreath, Fractional Executive
Set Clear Expectations and Communicate Progress
As a fractional leader, it's important to start each engagement with an expectation-setting conversation. Have an open discussion about which initiatives you will work directly with the CEO on, and which are appropriate to handle with other members of the team without the CEO's involvement and oversight. Explicitly state your need for full access to the information required to effectively perform your job, even though you are not in it full-time.
In the beginning, I err on the side of over-communicating my approach and progress toward stated goals so I can build rapport and trust with the company's leadership. I also allocate my dedicated time with the company on a fairly set daily schedule, to establish a cadence of being reachable.
Where possible, I am flexible in making a meeting outside the set schedule or respond to an immediate need. Approaching the role in this way ensures I am not missing out on pertinent information for an extended period and can respond in a timely manner to issues on the CEO's mind. Clear expectations, combined with performance, create a sense of being a full member of the team, despite being there part-time.
Alaina Gjertsen, Head of Communications, Blue Lotus Solutions, Inc.
Emphasize Active Execution
Fractional leadership, a newer concept compared to traditional staffing roles such as freelancers or consultants, stands out for its embedded approach within the team. While freelancers and consultants may offer advice without full integration, fractional leadership demands genuine buy-in.
As a fractional marketing officer, I frequently kick off engagements by sharing an anecdote: consultants typically offer advice on what needs to be done, whereas fractional leaders dive into execution and aren't afraid to get their hands dirty. By establishing a visible presence within the organization and gaining recognition as an integral part of the team by the CEO, you accelerate acceptance and alignment from others.
Megumi Reagan, Fractional Marketing Officer, Fox family of brands
Fox Fractional is a fractional staffing solution, offering senior and executive-level professionals to nonprofits nationwide.
Examples of who we might help your organization:
- Covering for an Absence
- Interim Position
- Extra Support for a Key Initiative
- Mentoring a Newly Promoted Leader
- Implementing a Strategic Plan
Contact us at sales@foxfractional.com to learn more about how our fractional staffing solution can help you keep your program on track! If you're a fractional leader with nonprofit experience, join our pool of fractional experts!