This page exists to save everyone time.
My work is effective when expectations are aligned and authority is real. If the following describe your situation, we are probably not a good fit — and that’s okay.
This Is Not for You If…
You want someone to say “yes” to everything.
I will disagree with you when it matters. If you need validation rather than judgment, look elsewhere.
You are looking for cheap labor disguised as “strategy.”
I don’t discount senior judgment to fill gaps that should be handled by staff. If the work can be done by a senior engineer, manager, or vendor you already have, I’ll tell you so.
You are focused on putting rear-ends in chairs.
Though occasional in-person meetings may be feasible, I work remotely. If your organization cannot function and conduct meetings with a teleconference option, tends to communicate mostly around the water cooler, or over-emphasizes in-person face time or RTO, then we will certainly struggle to make things work.
You want AI to magically fix unclear thinking.
AI amplifies both competence and confusion. If your plan relies on tools replacing leadership, design, or accountability, it will fail — and I won’t pretend otherwise.
You are unwilling to make decisions.
Indecision is a decision. If authority is fragmented, deferred, or avoided, progress will stall.
You want guarantees in complex systems.
Software projects fail for many reasons. Anyone promising certainty in advance is selling comfort, not reality.
You are shopping for agreement rather than clarity.
If you’ve already decided what the answer must be and are only looking for someone to bless it, I won’t be helpful.
Engagement Red Flags
I pay attention to patterns early. When these show up repeatedly, engagements tend to fail.
- Disrespectful or dismissive behavior toward consultants, staff, or stakeholders
- Attempts to expand scope without discussion or agreement
- Expecting availability without boundaries or context
- Reframing disagreement as “negativity” or “lack of alignment”
- Treating AI tools as authoritative rather than advisory
- Ignoring risks once they’ve been clearly articulated
- Expecting strategic outcomes without granting decision-making authority
- Minimizing the time, complexity, or cost of meaningful change
If I identify these issues early, I’ll raise them directly. If they persist, I may recommend ending the engagement rather than dragging things out.
What This Page Is Really Saying
I work best with people who:
- want fewer surprises, not fewer conversations
- value competence over optimism
- understand that respect is a prerequisite, not a perk
If that sounds like you, we’ll likely do excellent work together.
If it doesn’t, no hard feelings — it’s better to know now than later.