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What “Going Fractional” Actually Means and Why It’s Showing Up Everywhere Right Now
You’ve probably heard the term fractional thrown around more and more lately.
Fractional CFO. Fractional COO. Fractional operator.
It’s often treated like a trend, but it’s not. It’s a response.
At its core, fractional work means bringing senior experience into a business part-time, embedded, and outcome-driven — without hiring a full-time executive. Not a consultant on the sidelines. Not a freelancer completing tasks. Someone inside the company, holding context, helping make decisions, and reducing chaos where it matters most.
Why now?
Because the old deal is breaking down on both sides of the market.
For professionals, the promise used to be clear: build skills, earn a title, stay valuable. But in an AI economy, execution is getting cheaper, faster, and more automated. Roles shift faster than people can re-anchor their identity. That’s why job security feels shakier, even for very capable people.
Fractional work flips the question from “What role do you play?” to “What uncertainty do you reduce?”
If you like to learn how your experience can translate into a potential business, I have a questionnaire that will guide you through this process here:
Independent Income Readiness Program
For founders and operators, the pressure is different. Growth is messier. Tools multiply. AI promises speed, but without structure, it just amplifies existing problems. Most companies don’t need another hire yet. They need judgment, clarity, and someone who’s seen the patterns before.
That’s where fractional operators come in.
They bring experience without the overhead. Perspective without the long ramp-up and they help teams slow down just enough to build systems that can actually scale, especially in an AI-powered environment.
Here is a business health check to guide you through the process of identifying bottlenecks and scenarios that can help you manage your business while going through the “messy middle” Business Diagnostic Test
This is exactly what we unpack in the conversation below.
I sat down with Katie Barnes, of www.riseandoptimize.com who runs a fractional operations practice working directly with founders navigating growth, chaos, and transition. We talked about:
What fractional really looks like day-to-day
Why it’s not a shortcut — for professionals or founders
How AI is changing what companies need from people
And why human judgment matters more, not less, in automated systems
If you’re thinking about going fractional or wondering whether your company needs one this conversation will give you a much clearer frame for deciding.
JS
TIMESTAMP INDEX
PART I — For Professionals Considering Fractional Work
03:45 — What “Going Fractional” Really Means
Why fractional work is not freelancing, consulting, or a timeshare.
07:10 — Two Perspectives: Professionals vs Founders
Framing the conversation around career insurance and founder survival.
10:30 — Katie’s Background & Why Fractional Operations
From SaaS and ops leadership to embedded fractional work.
14:40 — The Identity Shift: From Role to Problem Solver
Moving from job titles to reducing uncertainty for others.
19:20 — Consultant vs Fractional: Embedded vs External
Why being inside the team changes trust, speed, and outcomes.
23:30 — Is Fractional Riskier Than a W-2 Career?
Why traditional jobs may no longer be the “safe” option.
27:40 — Turning Experience Into a Marketable Promise
How professionals translate skills into value clients will pay for.
PART II — For Founders & Operators Hiring Fractional Talent
32:30 — Why Founders Resist Operations (Until It Hurts)
Vision, optimism, and the cost of ignoring execution.
36:40 — A Founder Story: Growth Chaos Without Ops
Real-world example of what breaks when operations lag.
41:00 — Why Fractional Makes Sense for Early & Growing Teams
Flexibility, runway protection, and scaling support without full-time hires.
45:10 — What Fractional COOs Actually Do
Scope, responsibilities, and why context-holding matters.
48:50 — AI, Automation & the Operator Myth
Why AI without operational clarity amplifies chaos.
53:20 — When You Know It’s Time for a Fractional Leader
Founder bottlenecks, decision fatigue, and organizational signals.
57:00 — Closing Thoughts, Resources & How to Connect
Websites, newsletters, upcoming lives, and final reflections.
