Why More Companies Are Using Fractional Executives (And Should You?) - 435
Release Date: 02/18/2025
DeShawn Wynn - Events, Planning, Execution, and the Power of Retreats
Find My Catalyst Podcast
DeShawn Wynn is a veteran event strategist, entrepreneur, and transformational retreat leader. With nearly 30 years of event planning experience and 15 years as the founder of Winning Touch Event Design, she blends logistics and heart-centered transformation. Her mission? To help people pause, ask deeper questions, and reconnect with the why behind their actions. “An event is supposed to cause change — people should leave different than when they came in.” “Don’t wait for a tragedy to be your catalyst. Let a luxurious retreat be your wake-up call.” “Value means putting...
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Relationship Currency - with Author Ravi Rajani
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Ravi Rajani is a master of impactful communication, storytelling, and leadership development. He is the author of Relationship Currency and helps professionals unlock their influence through the power of intentional storytelling. From theater and investment banking to keynote stages and coaching rooms, Ravi's journey is a testament to finding alignment and embracing authenticity. "Charisma is an innate superpower we all possess, which allows others to feel significant in our presence." "Your daughters will marry your example. Your sons will follow it." "The more you do the inner...
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DevLearn Prep - with Brent and Mike
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Mike Simmons and Brent Schlenker are learning and enablement veterans with a deep passion for helping professionals connect, prepare, and get the most out of events. Mike brings expertise in sales enablement and field learning, while Brent is a long-time learning and development (L&D) leader known for building communities and driving conversation in the L&D space. Together, they dive into how to make the most of DevLearn 2025 — from tactical planning to real-time strategies for networking, booth visits, and personal performance at large conferences. "Go in with a plan. Take a...
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Custom-Fit with Author Kate Morgan
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Kate Morgan is the author of Custom-Fit, and the founder of BostonHCP. She is a no-nonsense, passionate voice in the world of HR, culture, and team development. With a background in scaling teams, Kate focuses on helping small business owners build thriving organizations from the inside out. She’s a Forbes-published author, EO Accelerator Chair, and a firm believer in people as the ultimate competitive advantage. “A core value isn't a value unless you can say…you'll be fired if you don't live up to it.” “Execution rests with your people. Get that right and you're going to be head...
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From Parks to Boardrooms: Leadership Lessons from Nature with Donald Forgione and Mike Simmons
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Donald Forgione — Former Director of 175 Florida State Parks, with 40+ years in ecotourism, leadership, and public service. Now a business owner, speaker, and coach, Donald connects leadership lessons from nature to business. Mike Simmons — Founder of Find My Catalyst, leadership coach, and sales strategist, helping people identify and act on their catalyst for change. Three Key Quotes Donald Forgione: “Trust is the key to absolutely everything… If they’re not feeling what I’m saying, I might as well throw it out the window.” Mike Simmons: “A revenue challenge is often a...
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Fidel Cache Flow on Anonymity, Job Stacking, and Leadership in Tech Sales
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Fidel Cache Flow is an account executive at a public company and an influential voice in the "burner verse" – the world of anonymous social media accounts. Through his Twitter profile, he openly shares unfiltered takes on tech sales, job stacking, leadership, and career strategies, while also building a thriving community that helps others grow in tech sales. Follow Fidel here: "There’s freedom in being anonymous. It lets me speak truthfully without fear." "Job stacking isn’t about cheating. It’s about working smarter, not harder." "Leadership starts with yourself—even if...
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Why Accurate Sales Forecasts Are Overrated with Bill Kantor
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Bill Kantor is the co-founder of Funnelcast, a forecasting platform designed to help businesses understand, optimize, and act on their sales pipelines. With decades of experience in sales operations and revenue analytics, Bill is on a mission to shift how companies use forecasting — from chasing accuracy to driving meaningful change. 💬 3 Key Quotes from Bill Kantor: "The job of the forecast is to tell you what to change in order to make the outcome better." "People think the job of the forecast is to tell you what you're going to close. But your sales are not like the weather. You...
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Selling to Farmers & Leading with Empathy: Lessons in Rural Sales from Sinjin Cramer
Find My Catalyst Podcast
St. John “Sinjin” Cramer is a dynamic sales strategist, keynote speaker, and host of the Rural Sales Success podcast. A UK native now based in New Zealand, Sinjin helps businesses understand how to sell with empathy, especially in high-stakes, rural environments. His philosophy? Stop selling. Start serving. “If you don't like where you are—move. Even a small shift can be a catalyst for growth.” “Don’t sell to farmers—or anyone. Help them make informed decisions.” “Be a buyer’s assistant. If you're not helping people feel safe in a purchase, you're not...
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Skip the Rookie Mistakes - Podcast Mastery Tips from Seth Goldstein
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Seth Goldstein is a 15-year podcast pro, coach, and former journalist. He runs “Podcast Mastery” and helps new hosts skip common mistakes. Seth’s big message: have a simple plan, keep the show real, and hit record—because action is the true catalyst. “If you have a plan and a cadence, it works. When you don’t, it usually doesn’t.” “Your first ten episodes are practice—most people won’t even know they exist.” “People listen because they want to feel part of the conversation.” Seth Goldstein and host Mike Simmons swap straight-talk tips on starting and growing...
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The ADHD Boss: Clear Communication and Why Coaching Matters
Find My Catalyst Podcast
Mike Simmons, founder of Catalyst and host of the “Find Your Catalyst” podcast, returns for a solo Q&A session. In this episode, he explores how ADHD shows up in leadership, strategies for clear communication, and why coaching is an essential part of personal and business growth. Mike shares personal experiences and systems that help him and others focus, execute, and lead effectively. 💬 3 Key Quotes "Don't diagnose people—understand behaviors and build systems that reduce chaos." "There are things that are said, things that are heard, and things that are remembered—and rarely...
info_outlineTim Dyck is an expert in HR and recruiting, specializing in fractional leadership—a growing approach that helps organizations get high-level expertise without committing to full-time hires. As the founder of Best Culture Solutions, Tim provides fractional HR services to help businesses build strong teams efficiently.
Mike Simmons, host of Find Your Catalyst, is a leader in revenue growth and business strategy, guiding organizations to achieve operational excellence through fractional leadership and strategic execution.
Top 3 Quotes:
- "Fractional leadership isn’t new—it’s just getting a name. Leaders have been doing this for years without calling it 'fractional.'"
- "The goal isn’t to stay forever—it’s to create movement and momentum, then step away so the business can thrive without you."
- "If you’re struggling with leadership, operations, revenue, or execution, you don’t need to struggle—there are operators who can help."
Fractional leadership is gaining traction as a powerful way for businesses to get high-level expertise without long-term commitments. Tim Dyck and Mike Simmons break down what fractional leadership is, why it matters, and how it can be applied effectively. They discuss different fractional models, success strategies, and the key to finding the right fit.
5 Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ What is Fractional Leadership?
- Fractional leadership allows businesses to hire experienced leaders for specific needs without full-time costs.
- It has existed for years under different names, such as consulting or contract leadership.
- The right fractional fit depends on the business's goals, structure, and existing team.
2️⃣ Why Companies Choose Fractional Leaders
- Small businesses benefit from executive expertise without hiring a full-time executive.
- Startups and scaling companies use fractional roles to fill gaps until they can hire full-time.
- Fractional leaders bring fresh insights and cross-industry experience, accelerating growth.
3️⃣ The Different Models of Fractional Work
- Some fractional leaders work hourly, while others charge per project or outcome.
- The best model depends on the business’s needs—operational execution vs. strategic guidance.
- A good fractional leader integrates into the organization while maintaining independence.
4️⃣ How to Find the Right Fractional Leader
- Leaders should assess their organization’s specific needs before hiring fractionally.
- A clear scope of work ensures alignment and success in fractional engagements.
- Businesses must avoid hiring a fractional leader just to “fill a gap” without a clear strategy.
5️⃣ The Leadership Mindset in Fractional Roles
- The best fractional leaders set up systems and processes to succeed without them.
- Success isn’t about staying long-term—it’s about enabling the organization to move forward.
- Strong communication and alignment with the company’s goals drive the best results.
Resources & Links:
📌 Take the Fractional Readiness Assessment: https://FindMyCatalyst.com/fractional
📌 Learn more about Best Culture Solutions: bestculturesolutions.ca
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