🏔️ Essentialist CEO: Why 2026 is the tipping point for fractional leadership (and how to make it work for you)

Brumate—the insulated drinkware brand you've definitely seen—talks about how BILL gives them speed and efficiency. Not just cost savings.Speed.

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Read the case study here →

If you're skilled enough to run a business, you're too valuable to be manually reconciling expenses.

Last week, I received a newsletter from Shiny, a platform that helps companies to hire fractional executives.

It had some fascinating insights. As I started reading, I went down a complete rabbit hole studying the market for fractional executives. I shared a few findings inside my community — and it clicked.

You know me.

When I see my people light up around something, that’s my cue to dig deeper and package the value so everyone can use it.

So today’s newsletter is about the state of fractional executives heading into 2026.

I’ve studied multiple reports, analyzed the trends behind the most successful fractional leaders I know, and crystallized what’s actually happening in this market.

We’ll cover:

This newsletter will save you hours of research. It’ll give you practical insight to help your prospects understand why fractional executive work matters and how it’s shaping the next wave of business.

Let’s dive in.

Numbers matter — they show how big this opportunity is.

Sometimes we get stuck in our own online circles, seeing the same people, the same stories. These numbers zoom out and show just how wide this market is becoming.

So the data’s clear — the curve is heading up.

But why exactly is this happening?

Companies finally realized the old model is broken. Three major shifts are driving the change:

#1. Companies can’t afford the old model.

With tighter capital and more volatile markets, flexibility matters more than fixed cost. Few firms can justify a $300K+ salary (plus benefits and equity) for strategic guidance they only need a few hours a week.

#2. Remote work is now normal.

COVID forced everyone to master virtual collaboration. Geography stopped being a limitation. Now companies can bring in the right expert from anywhere. Total game-changer.

#3. The talent wants portfolio lives.

Seasoned executives who’ve “been there, done that” want meaningful work, variety, and balance. They can earn well, create impact, and still have a life. Their specialized problem-solving experience is pure gold for founders.

Together, this creates a permanent shift.

It benefits everyone:

That’s the real future of work. And if you position yourself correctly, you can build something incredible in this space.

Most fractional executives stop at the label — “I’m a fractional executive” — and leave it there.

Here’s the quick test:

If the answers sound fuzzy — ‘Growth for startups,’ ‘Productivity for teams,’ — that’s a red flag.

The best fractional executives are crystal clear.

They also share strong points of view:

See how that lands?

It sticks. People talk about you. They remember you when that exact problem comes up.

That’s the power of specificity.

As an employee, you’re rewarded for consistency and following process.

As a fractional executive, you’re rewarded for vision and leverage.

Executives who still think like employees:

Executives who think like CEOs:

That’s how you move from linear growth to exponential impact.

Use this “North Star” statement:

Example:

If getting that specific feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.

Without frameworks, every client feels like your first client.

With them, you deliver faster, charge based on results, and create trust instantly.

Map the transformation from Point A → Point B, document each stage, then give it a name.

(Example: “The 90-Day Organic Growth Engine.”)

Consistency beats complexity. Focus on the 3–4 activities that reliably create new conversations — and do them well.

Inside Essentialist CEO Collective, we strip away the noise and help you double down on what actually works.

Linear growth = more hours.

Leveraged growth = better systems.

Each client should make your delivery smoother and more profitable than the last.

This is the multiplier.

Strategy means nothing without the identity to execute it.

Visualize this:

Business becomes a mirror for personal growth.

It shows you your bottlenecks and your potential in real time.

That’s the real beauty of entrepreneurship.

These aren’t theories — they’re patterns I’ve seen play out across hundreds of executives.

If you internalize them, you’ll:

I’m walking this path with you — every step.

In love & growth,
Kasey

P.S. If you want accountability, mentorship, and a community that pushes you forward, I built the Essentialist CEO Collective for exactly that.

We’ll help you clarify, simplify, and stay consistent — so success becomes a pattern, not