Meet Your New Best Friend: EQ (Emotional Intelligence)

By

If You Had Three Wishes...

Ever found yourself hoping to find a small business genie? You know what I mean... You rub the lamp, a fantastical deity pops out knowing just what to do to help you further you, your team, your goals? Just wish for it, and it happens; does that ring a bell?  

Well, today your wish is granted! 

At least in the form of a blog post.

I can't pop out of a bottle but I can tell you about fractional leaders who are de facto wizards of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). Like Intellectual Intelligence (IQ), EQ is about the emotional abilities and social skills that aren't quite measured in the analytical skills associated with IQ. Here's why small businesses are eyeing EQ-savvy fractional pros. 

But, first things first...

Why Does EQ Matter?

Imagine having a leader who not only brings a wealth of experience, but can also flows with the undercurrents of you, your team, and your customers. Like a sea they've sailed 1,000 times. That's your EQ-rich fractional leader! They're like social chameleons--seamlessly blending into your unique business culture and connecting with everyone and everything on a deeper level.

Here's what high-EQ fractional leaders bring to your table:

  • Empathy, Empathy, Empathy: The 3 Es! A true leader understand your struggles and triumphs, offering tailored advice that resonates with your team's hearts and minds. 
  • More Than Communication:  One-way preaching alone is overrated. What's communication really about? Understanding. Say goodbye to lost-in-translation moments. Ensure everyone's on the same page, fostering a vibe of open and transparent communication.
  • A Fresh Perspective: Not just problem solvers; seek out problem understanders. They see things from angles you might have missed.
  • Client Relations Like WOO: Charm and understanding can transform your clients, turning transactions into life-long lasting relationships.

The Small Business Advantage

For small businesses, hiring a full-time executive can be like buying a yacht when you need a fishing boat–overkill and pricey. (If you've ever owned a boat, you know this.) Fractional leaders are the perfect fit. They bring the expertise without the exorbitant costs. Plus, they bring high EQ which means they're quick to adapt, easy to work with, and fantastic at rallying your team towards shared goals.

I mean, think about what you get:

  • Cost-Effective Wisdom: Get that top-tier executive brainpower, but only as much as you need and can afford.
  • Maximized Flexibility: Imagine molding the approach to your needs, working on projects big or small, for as long or as short as you require.
  • Bridging Gaps: Whether it's a skills gap or an understanding gap, you can fill it with finesse.

Your New Go-To EQ Solution

Adapting and thriving amidst ever-changing challenges is KEY. 

This is where fractional leaders with a strong EQ come in. They’re not just leaders; they’re your strategic partners, understanding both the emotional and operational needs of your business. They offer flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and a deep understanding of people. You gotta agree that's a combo that’s hard to beat, right?

So, if you're looking to steer your small business towards new horizons without breaking the bank, embracing fractional leadership with an EQ focus might just be your best move. It's time to play smarter, not harder.

Let fractional EQ professionals lead your path to success!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fractional vs Consultant

By
Image
Now that "fractional" is more popular and in the news, it is important to understand what the difference between that and consulting is. I was recently part of an Operator's Guild panel on just this topic, and as part of our presentation deck, created the below table to highlight the differences between all the types of non-traditional leadership roles: To put it simply, there is no difference between a fractional CXO and their full-time counterpart except that the fractional will be part-time and therefore have other work, whether other fractional or consulting work. I personally do a combination of fractional COO work and workflow consulting. And fractional is always a leadership role, although not necessarily executive level, and needs to be synonymous with that.  Another way to look at the difference between fractionals and consultants is through two more lenses: what are they hired for and what their focus has to be. Consultants are hired for their skills; they may
Read more

A Cost Comparison: Fractional Leaders vs. Full-Time Execs

By
Most organizations understand the value of having a leader in an executive role to guide their business, but it's not always financially feasible, there may not always be a full time need, or some struggle to find the right person. As a result, fractional leadership has become increasingly popular as an alternative means to leveraging executive level talent.  As a reminder from our last  post , the benefits of hiring a fractional are the flexibility it offers in terms of time commitment and the ability to access talented leaders at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, working with fractionals does not require businesses to make significant investments in infrastructure or resources—the professional provides all necessary tools and resources themselves. Since this is an emerging and growing concept, I was eager to explore the cost of a FTE (full-time employee) compensation plan, in comparisons to fractional monthly retainers. The data is eye opening to say the least!  Accor
Read more

Is Going Fractional Right for You?

By
If you've read any of my previous posts either here or on LinkedIn, you know that I believe fractional is a win-win: employers get leaders who can help them scale and optimize, despite not being able to afford that level of talent full-time and leaders can get more flexibility and control over their time and careers, as well as diversify and keep themselves challenged and growing But does that mean that every leader should quit their full-time job and go fractional? No. Like everything in life, there are downsides to going fractional, and I thought it only fair to spell out the three main challenges so that anyone considering going fractional understands both the pros and cons before making that decision. Leads As someone who was a fractional COO for years before "fractional" was a thing, and is newly back to this world, the biggest challenge of being fractional is finding the work. This is a challenge I face and that 98% of the fractionals I speak with—both inside and ou
Read more