As Trusted Advisors
What Is a Trusted Advisor
At Georgia Tech Strategic Consulting (GTSC), we strive to be more than project managers or problem solvers — we aim to be Trusted Advisors.
A Trusted Advisor is a partner who earns confidence by combining deep expertise with genuine care for their clients’ success. The concept, drawn from the work of Charles Green and Andrea P. Howe, authors of The Trusted Advisor Fieldbook, emphasizes that trust is built not just on what we know, but on how we engage.
Trusted Advisors demonstrate:
- Credibility — providing sound advice grounded in knowledge and experience.
- Reliability — following through on commitments and delivering consistent results.
- Intimacy — creating a safe space for open, candid dialogue.
- Low self-orientation — focusing on what’s best for the client, not on personal or team agendas.
By earning trust through these behaviors, GTSC strengthens relationships, fosters collaboration, and enables our campus partners to achieve sustainable, meaningful results.
Why This Matters
Higher education is complex — with interconnected systems, diverse stakeholders, and constant change. Within this environment, successful outcomes depend as much on trusted relationships as on technical expertise.
Adopting a Trusted Advisor mindset allows GTSC to:
- Build authentic partnerships grounded in mutual respect and transparency.
- Understand the unique goals and challenges of each college, department, or administrative unit.
- Offer guidance that aligns with Georgia Tech’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Move from transactional support to strategic collaboration — helping our partners not only solve problems but also anticipate opportunities.
By approaching every engagement as Trusted Advisors, GTSC helps create a more connected, collaborative, and forward-looking Georgia Tech.
“Working with GTSC has helped me grow as a leader: to think more about how my own unit fits into the larger picture of the Institute, the interconnected network of people and projects that we are a part of, and the ways in which to align our execution with the ambitious goals we all have.”
Jason Freeman
Associate VP of the Arts, Georgia Tech Arts