What if you could borrow a battle-tested executive exactly when you need them and only for as long as it takes to move the needle? We pull back the curtain on fractional leadership for SMEs, focusing on the people side of change where complexity lives and value compounds.

TLDR / AT A Glance:

• What fractional leadership is and why it matters for SMEs
• Complexity of people versus utility of technology
• Why “digital transformation” distracts from systems and culture
• How empowerment beats command and control
• Common SME patterns and how to fix them
• Product thinking for HR and quick, measurable wins
• What makes a great fractional leader
• How to choose and work with a fractional chief

Across a fast-moving conversation, we define what a fractional C‑suite leader actually does and why it’s not a cheaper helpdesk. Think senior judgment on tap: diagnosing root causes, running smart experiments, and owning outcomes.

We challenge the myth of “digital transformation” by reframing technology as a utility and putting human systems front and centre. AI and automation clear the noise; empowered teams create the signal. That means unlearning command and control, pushing decisions closer to the market, and building lightweight structures that turn information into action.

You’ll hear concrete patterns from the SME trenches: overcontrol driven by tight budgets, underused tech, and fads that burn cash without impact.

We share how product thinking applies to HR - test, measure, iterate and what early proof points look like when you are fixing retention, engagement, and capability. For practitioners eyeing fractional work, we cover the mindset shift from corporate to owner-led businesses, the breadth required across HR disciplines, and why emotional intelligence is as critical as technical depth.

For founders choosing a fractional chief, we offer a simple playbook: verify track record, align on outcomes, insist on execution, and value a partner who can challenge without breaking trust.

If you want senior expertise without the full-time price tag and you’re ready to trade decks for delivery this conversation maps the path.

Subscribe, share with a fellow leader who needs this lens, and leave a review with the one capability you’d rent first.

Support the show

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 my team and I to get business results, not excuses.

☎️ https://calendly.com/kierangilmurray/results-not-excuses
✉️ kieran@gilmurray.co.uk
🌍 www.KieranGilmurray.com
📘 Kieran Gilmurray | LinkedIn
🦉 X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/KieranGilmurray
📽 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KieranGilmurray

📕 Want to learn more about agentic AI then read my new book on Agentic AI and the Future of Work https://tinyurl.com/MyBooksOnAmazonUK