Part-time, full focus

The final stretch before a release is always intense.

Edge case bugs being unearthed. Last minute copy changes. Descoping features to make sure we can ship on the agreed date.

One of my clients is about to release their app to real users for the first time.

It’s probably the most pressure my fractional role has come under so far - I could be working on it full time quite easily.

And yet things, broadly speaking, are on track.

One of the unexpected benefits of fractional work is that it not just allows, but forces me to be crystal-clear about what my areas of responsibility are.

Delegation is critical. As is simply saying: “I can’t cover that”.

I’ve needed to be focused on things that only I can do, and trust the team to handle the rest.

It sounds obvious, but as someone whose instinct is to help and can have trouble saying ‘no’ to things, it’s been invaluable.

The ability to draw boundaries and focus is undoubtedly a critical skill for anyone in leadership positions.

For me, being fractional has driven home the lesson in a fraction (pun intended) of the time it would have otherwise.

Pressure makes diamonds.

And while the pressure is real, so is the clarity it brings. You learn fast what matters, where you're indispensable, and where you're just getting in the way.

The irony is, working less time has made me a better leader.

Because when you only have a slice of the pie, you get very good at choosing which bites to take.