A fractional CXO can be the sharpest move a mid-market business makes, or an expensive way to avoid a conversation. The difference is whether there's a mandate or just a delay. Here's how to tell before you sign.

A fractional CXO walks into a team that's known each other for years and asks them to follow someone who's there two days a week. That credibility gap isn't the CXO's to close alone — most of it belongs to the founder, in week one.

A fractional leader's first month is often the difference between a fast, effective engagement and a slow one — and most of that difference is set by what the business hands over early.

A good fractional engagement doesn't end when the person leaves. It ends when the function no longer needs them to.

A fractional CXO is not a part-time advisor. It's a senior leader who owns a function's results — just not five days a week.