A big misconception is that consulting is trading your expertise for money. It's not, consulting is the work of trading your methodology and personal abilities to bring about client outcomes for money
I’m with you on this: consulting isn’t “selling expertise,” it’s delivering outcomes through methodology + human capability. AI can replicate the knowledge layer (research, synthesis, template frameworks) which is why the floor is rising and the generic “expert-for-hire” pitch is getting squeezed. But AI still doesn’t do the parts clients actually struggle with: framing the real problem, aligning stakeholders, navigating incentives/politics, building trust, and owning accountability when implementation gets messy.
The big shift I’m seeing is that methodology now has to include AI as a force multiplier—not as a gimmick. The new premium is speed to decision + speed to action, with humans doing judgment in context and change leadership. Expertise becomes the entry ticket. Outcomes are the product.
I do wonder, though, if clients value the expertise side of things more than the change-management side of things. That's an interesting question. It might be harder to sell consulting services in the future I suspect.
I’m with you on this: consulting isn’t “selling expertise,” it’s delivering outcomes through methodology + human capability. AI can replicate the knowledge layer (research, synthesis, template frameworks) which is why the floor is rising and the generic “expert-for-hire” pitch is getting squeezed. But AI still doesn’t do the parts clients actually struggle with: framing the real problem, aligning stakeholders, navigating incentives/politics, building trust, and owning accountability when implementation gets messy.
The big shift I’m seeing is that methodology now has to include AI as a force multiplier—not as a gimmick. The new premium is speed to decision + speed to action, with humans doing judgment in context and change leadership. Expertise becomes the entry ticket. Outcomes are the product.
I do wonder, though, if clients value the expertise side of things more than the change-management side of things. That's an interesting question. It might be harder to sell consulting services in the future I suspect.