Leonard Iacobuș talks about the transition to fractional leadership, strategic decision-making, and how executive experience can generate sustainable results for companies in growth or transformation.
Why Fractional Leadership Is Becoming Increasingly Relevant
In an economic context marked by uncertainty, pressure for results, and the constant need to adapt, more and more companies are rethinking how they access high-level leadership. The fractional leadership model is gaining ground, and Leonard Iacobuș’s experience offers a clear perspective on how this type of collaboration can generate real value.
The Transition: From Executive Roles to Impact in Key Moments
With a solid background in leadership and strategic management, both in traditional executive roles and entrepreneurial environments, Leonard Iacobuș made a calculated transition to fractional leadership. It was not a sudden break, but a gradual process driven by the desire to have a greater impact at key moments in the evolution of multiple organizations.
“After years spent in full-time executive roles, I realized I could contribute more effectively where there is the greatest need for strategic clarity, structure, and difficult decisions,” he explains. The fractional model offered him the autonomy needed to leverage his experience, but also increased responsibility: delivering fast and relevant results without being present daily within the organization.
What attracts him most to this model is the combination of flexibility and impact. Entering a company quickly, understanding the context, and participating directly in critical decisions are essential elements of his role. At the same time, the challenges are real: building trust in a short time, establishing a clear mandate, and being able to say “no” to projects that are not a good fit.
How He Chooses Projects and Delivers Value Quickly
The selection of collaborations is not accidental. Leonard Iacobuș carefully analyzes the company’s context, the leadership team’s openness, and the clarity of objectives. He does not seek perfect organizations, but companies that genuinely want change and are willing to support it. Human compatibility and transparency are, in his view, just as important as business objectives.
Real Impact: Beyond Financial Results
A relevant example of impact is his collaboration with a company facing a strategic deadlock, stagnant growth, and a demotivated team. Within a few months, by clarifying direction, redefining priorities, and restructuring decision-making processes, the organization managed to relaunch growth and realign its team. The results were not only financial but also cultural.
The difference between a full-time executive and a fractional leader largely lies in perspective. While the former is deeply anchored in daily operations, the latter can more clearly observe patterns, bottlenecks, and critical decisions that make a difference. The fractional role is less about micromanagement and more about strategy, mentoring, and taking key decisions.
For leaders skeptical about this model, Leonard Iacobuș has a clear message: the value is not in the time spent, but in the quality of decisions made more quickly. A fractional CEO brings senior-level experience without the costs and rigidity of a permanent role, making it an efficient solution for companies at a certain stage of development.
Looking ahead, he estimates that fractional leadership will become increasingly present in the business environment. Companies seek flexibility, while senior professionals seek meaning, autonomy, and projects with real impact. The hybrid model—strong internal teams complemented by high-level fractional leadership—appears to be an increasingly clear direction.
For senior professionals considering this transition, the advice is firm: fractional leadership is not a “plan B,” but a strategic choice. Clarity about one’s own value, the problems solved, and continuous investment in relationships and reputation are the foundations of this career model.
This piece is an original editorial report, based on an interview previously published in our niche publication, Fractional. The full interview is available here.
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