Fractional Leadership vs. Consulting: What’s the Difference?
When an organization hits a critical moment—rapid growth, executive turnover, stalled strategy—the question often arises: Do we need a consultant, or do we need a fractional executive?
At first glance, the two can look similar. Both bring outside expertise. Both help organizations move through complex challenges. But the way they engage—and the outcomes they deliver—are very different. That’s why leaders turn to experts like Shane Kinkennon, who has spent decades guiding boards, executives, and management teams through pressure moments, both as a consultant and as a fractional executive.
Understanding the difference could be the key to unlocking not just good advice, but forward momentum.
What Consulting Really Delivers
Consulting is primarily about insight and recommendations. A consultant comes in to analyze, evaluate, and provide guidance. They might help your leadership team spot blind spots, identify inefficiencies, or develop a sharper strategy.
A consultant’s superpower is perspective. They’re not entangled in the daily politics or constraints of your team, which means they can see the big picture with fresh eyes. When Shane steps into a consulting role, for example, he helps leadership teams gain clarity, sharpen strategy, and align operations to mission.
But here’s the distinction: most consultants stop short of actually owning execution. They provide the map—you and your team still have to do the driving.
What Fractional Leadership Brings to the Table
Fractional executives, on the other hand, don’t just stand at the whiteboard. They step into the role itself, often on a part-time or interim basis, and lead from within.
Think of a fractional COO or Chief Strategy Officer. Rather than just advising on how to align operations or drive execution, they actually:
Lead teams directly.
Make operational and strategic decisions.
Embed themselves into your culture.
Own outcomes, not just ideas.
This is where Shane’s fractional leadership work shines. Having served as both a COO and Chief Strategy Officer himself, he knows how to integrate quickly, earn trust fast, and move strategy off the page and into daily reality. Leaders don’t just get advice—they get momentum.
Why the Difference Matters
The distinction comes down to this:
Consultants recommend.
Fractional executives lead.
One is external. The other is embedded.
If what you need is an assessment, a fresh perspective, or specialized advice, consulting can be a powerful accelerator. But if what you need is someone to carry the weight of leadership, step into the decision-making, and drive execution alongside your team, fractional leadership is the answer.
When to Choose Consulting
Consulting makes sense when you:
Need an objective assessment of strategy or structure.
Want to uncover gaps and inefficiencies.
Are seeking a new framework for decision-making.
Have a capable team ready to implement once the recommendations are clear.
In these scenarios, Shane’s consulting engagements provide clarity and strategic alignment that leaders can immediately put into action.
When to Choose Fractional Leadership
Fractional leadership is the better fit when you:
Have a leadership vacancy that can’t remain open.
Need someone to own execution of a strategy, not just design it.
Are navigating a period of high growth or transition.
Want an embedded leader who integrates quickly and leads decisively.
When Shane steps into a fractional COO or CSO role, he’s not standing on the sidelines. He’s leading initiatives, making calls, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with executive teams to ensure progress is both immediate and sustainable.
The Bottom Line
Both consulting and fractional leadership bring value—but they serve different needs. Consulting gives you analysis and recommendations. Fractional leadership gives you embedded execution and decision-making.
The smartest organizations don’t see it as an either/or. Many leaders begin with consulting to gain clarity, then move into fractional leadership when they need someone to actually carry the ball across the goal line.
If your organization is at an inflection point and you’re weighing the choice between consulting and fractional leadership, Shane Kinkennon can help you decide what fits. He’s led in both capacities, and he knows when leaders need an advisor—and when they need an embedded executive who rolls up their sleeves and leads from within.
