The Three Pillars of Technology Transformation

I learned this the hard way.

Early in my career at the Department of Defense, I was on a team of excellent problem solvers. We could build anything, fix anything, optimize anything. We were masters of execution. But we kept wondering why our solutions didn't land the way we expected. Why did that elegant workflow tool sit unused? Why did teams resist the automation we'd built specifically for them?

The answer was simple: we were missing two critical pieces. We had execution down cold, but we lacked empathy and vision. We over-prescribed solutions that looked perfect on paper but didn't resonate with the people using them or align with where the organization actually needed to go.

That experience taught me something fundamental about technology work. There are three distinct ways to help organizations with technology challenges. Three pillars. And understanding which one you need, and when, makes all the difference.

I. Execution: Technology Consulting

This is what most people think of when they need tech help. You've got a specific problem. You need someone who can solve it.

Technology consulting is focused, tactical work. Migrate this system. Build this API. Fix this pipeline. Create immediate value by addressing a clear technical challenge.

It's specialist work. A consultant assesses your current state, recommends solutions, and executes the plan. You get tangible results, delivered efficiently (hopefully).

Here's what this looks like in practice:

You need a data pipeline to streamline reporting. A consultant builds it.

Your legacy systems need to move to the cloud. A consultant designs the migration and executes it.

Your tools don't talk to each other. A consultant builds the APIs that connect them.

This is the work that keeps organizations running. It's essential. And it's the foundation of everything else.

But here's what I learned at the DoD: execution alone isn't enough.

II. Empathy: Technology Counseling

Technology can transform organizations. But only if people understand it and embrace it.

That's where counseling comes in.

Technology counseling isn't about solving technical problems. It's about understanding human ones. It's about addressing the why behind the what. Why are people resisting this change? Why isn't this tool being adopted? Why does this solution feel wrong even though the specs are right?

Most technical challenges come wrapped in human complexity. Fear of disruption. Lack of clarity. Resistance to change. Cultural friction. Counseling creates space for those concerns to surface so solutions can be shaped collaboratively.

Back to my DoD experience. We were so focused on what we were building that we neglected the why and the how. We didn't have anyone in a counseling or advisory role. We prescribed solutions instead of listening first. We optimized for technical elegance instead of human adoption.

The gap between our efforts and the actual outcomes kept growing. We'd deliver something technically sound, and it would sit there, unused or resented.

That's the difference empathy makes.

A technology counselor listens first, advises second. They guide organizations through change, helping them see not just what's possible, but what's right for them specifically. They build trust. They address fears. They ensure that the people, processes, and technology work together harmoniously.

Here's what this looks like:

A non-profit is struggling with digital transformation. A counselor guides them based on their mission and staff capabilities, not just technical requirements.

A small business is hesitant about automation because they're worried about job disruption. A counselor walks them through it step by step, addressing concerns, ensuring team buy-in.

This is relationship-driven work. It's not transactional. It's about alignment.

As I wrote in Moving Past Consulting, the evolution from consulting to counseling represents a shift toward deeper, more meaningful engagements. Execution is still critical. But without empathy, even perfect solutions can fail.

III. Vision: Technology Advisory

Execution solves today's problems. Counseling ensures people embrace the solutions. But vision ensures that today's solutions don't create tomorrow's problems.

Technology advisory is strategic work. It's about looking beyond the immediate and asking bigger questions: How does technology support long-term growth? What emerging trends or risks should we prepare for? How do we balance short-term needs with long-term objectives?

An advisor doesn't just solve problems. They architect the future. They design roadmaps, create frameworks, align technology decisions with organizational goals.

Here's the difference: a consultant migrates your systems to the cloud. A counselor ensures your team understands why and how to use the new environment. An advisor ensures that migration is part of a larger strategy that positions you for what comes next.

Consider these scenarios:

A mid-sized company is planning international expansion. An advisor ensures their IT infrastructure can scale seamlessly across borders, anticipating challenges before they arise.

A healthcare organization needs to adopt AI-driven tools while navigating complex regulations. An advisor ensures compliance while aligning new technologies with patient care goals.

Vision is the glue that connects immediate actions to a larger strategic picture. It's about clarity. Focus. The ability to navigate change with purpose.

Without vision, you risk pursuing initiatives that solve problems but don't align with where you're actually trying to go. You build. You optimize. You execute. And five years later you realize you've been solving the wrong problems.

As I explored in The Future of Development: The All Powerful Architect, the ability to harmonize innovation with human creativity is what sets visionary leaders apart. Technology advisory isn't just a service. It's a commitment to building a sustainable future.

How the Pillars Work Together

These aren't separate services you pick one of. They're interconnected elements of a complete strategy.

Think about a medium-sized enterprise with outdated systems:

The consultant conducts a technical assessment, identifies the best software upgrade, and oversees implementation. The immediate challenge gets addressed.

The counselor works with employees to understand their concerns about the change, educates them on the benefits, and tailors the approach to their comfort levels. The solution gets embraced.

The advisor evaluates how this upgrade fits into the company's five-year vision, ensuring it aligns with broader strategies and doesn't create new problems down the road. The solution becomes part of a larger transformation.

Here's the framework at a glance:

Consulting is problem-solving. Transactional. Defined by the project. You get solutions delivered.

Counseling is empathy and guidance. Relational. Evolving based on client needs. You get support and empowerment.

Advisory is strategic alignment. Partnership. Organizational transformation. You get roadmaps and clarity.

Together, they provide execution to turn plans into reality, empathy to ensure solutions are understood and embraced, and vision to align actions with long-term goals.

What This Means for You

Most organizations need all three pillars at different times, sometimes simultaneously.

If you're facing an immediate technical challenge, you need execution.

If your teams are struggling to adopt new technology, you need empathy.

If you're unsure where your technology strategy should go, you need vision.

The key is recognizing which pillar you need right now and finding the right people to provide it.

I learned this at the DoD by getting it wrong. We had execution in spades. But without counseling and advisory perspectives, we kept building solutions that technically worked but didn't actually solve the real problems.

That's why I approach technology work through all three pillars now. Sometimes you need me to build something. Sometimes you need me to help your team understand why and how. Sometimes you need me to help you see where you're going and design the path to get there.

The journey doesn't have to be complicated. But it does have to be thoughtful. And it starts with understanding which pillar, or pillars, you need.