A Fractional Chief Heart Officer is a strategic, part-time executive who serves as your external trusted HR partner, embedding empathy, emotional intelligence, and purpose-driven leadership into your organization. Rather than operating as a traditional HR consultant, a Fractional CHO focuses on the heart of your business—your people.
This role bridges the gap between culture and performance by:
With Deborah’s decades of experience in leadership, coaching, and people-first transformation, organizations gain a trusted partner who doesn’t just support HR—they uplift the human experience at work.
I collaborate with HR and leadership teams to bring a human-first strategy to talent development, retention, and engagement.
A Fractional Chief Heart Officer (FCHO) is a strategic, trusted, external HR partner who integrates emotional intelligence (EQ), psychological safety, and executive and leadership coaching into an organization’s DNA—without the full-time executive cost.
Think of an FCHO as:
How it differs from a traditional HR role: While HR handles policies and compliance, an FCHO works hands-on with leaders and teams to embed emotional intelligence, leadership development, and a people-first approach across all levels.
An FCHO is ideal for companies experiencing:
If your leaders are technically skilled but struggling with emotional intelligence, culture, or engagement, an FCHO provides transformational leadership support.
A senior leader at a multinational energy and utilities company found themselves at a pivotal moment. Following the unexpected retirement of their boss, they stepped into a leadership role with increased responsibilities but lacked the confidence and assertiveness to fully embrace their new position. Their technical skills were unquestionable, yet they struggled with decision-making, executive presence, and team engagement.
At the same time, the organization was undergoing a merger and acquisition, causing disruption, uncertainty, and a need for strong, emotionally intelligent leadership. The company recognized the importance of strategic leadership coaching and cultural alignment to ensure a smooth transition.
The approach was not about applying a one-size-fits-all leadership program but tailoring a heart-centered leadership strategy to meet the specific needs of the leader, their team, and the broader organization.
We started with a one-on-one coaching engagement that integrated EQ-i 2.0 assessments to identify strengths and areas for growth in emotional intelligence. It became clear that the leader tended to hesitate in high-pressure situations and often avoided direct feedback or conflict.
Through structured executive and leadership coaching, they developed:
With personalized strategies grounded in heart-centered leadership and habit formation, the leader shifted from self-doubt to self-assurance, enhancing their credibility among both peers and executives.
To ensure their success extended beyond individual growth, I worked directly with their middle management team to create alignment and boost collaboration.
This included:
As a result, team engagement improved, and leaders at various levels felt more empowered to contribute with confidence and authenticity.
The merger and acquisition process required the leader to engage with senior executives and navigate change with a balance of strategic thinking and emotional intelligence.
Coaching in this phase focused on:
Over time, they became a trusted voice at the leadership table, playing a critical role in shaping the post-merger culture and ensuring alignment between teams.
This case study demonstrates how a Fractional Chief Heart Officer brings more than executive and leadership coaching—it’s about embedding a culture of trust, emotional intelligence, and heart-centered leadership at all levels.
For organizations navigating leadership transitions, cultural shifts, or engagement challenges, the right strategic support can transform both leaders and teams.
As your external, trusted HR Partner, learn how an FCHO can transform your organization.
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© 2025 Deb Crowe
Connection with people is the key to happiness and success, as it allows us to look inward and feel valued , heard and validated.
