Expertise may earn a seat at the table, but it’s only the beginning. For Joseph B. Diehl, Managing Director of DIEHL & CO. LLC, the defining trait of a senior advisor is strong problem solving. “Find out what’s broken and fix it. That would be something to think about to better serve an employer or better serve yourself in life,” says Diehl.
While many professionals build careers around specialized knowledge, Diehl believes lasting value comes from applying that knowledge to solve meaningful problems. After beginning at KPMG and later advancing through corporate finance leadership roles, he found that most often organizations seek outside guidance when complexity threatens progress. “People bring consultants in because they need clarity, direction, and someone who can help solve problems that are standing in the way of progress.”
It reflects the essence of strategic problem-solving. Effective senior advisors diagnose root causes, evaluate options, and create realistic paths forward. When expertise falls outside their own area, they help clients find the right resources rather than forcing an answer. Since founding DIEHL & CO. LLC in 1996, Diehl has built his practice around that principle. The focus has never been on having all the answers but on understanding problems clearly enough to guide organizations toward effective solutions.
Connecting Expertise with Purpose
Diehl’s career took a significant turn after experiencing burnout during his years in corporate finance. As the sole accountant in a growing early-stage company, he worked long hours building up an 18-person department. “I decided, maybe this isn’t the lifestyle I want,” he says.
So Diehl stepped back to travel and reassess his direction, eventually accepting a substantial pay reduction to pursue work in the nonprofit sector. The move introduced him to membership associations and, later, tribal housing organizations and tribal communities across the Pacific Northwest. What began as a search for balance became a deeper exploration of purpose. “I want to really serve people,” Diehl says.
Advisory in The Age of AI
As organizations increasingly turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, senior advisors face new questions about where technology fits into decision-making. His caution stems from firsthand experience. During a research project on burnout in tribal communities, AI returned well-sourced information that ultimately referred to the country of India rather than Native American tribal communities. The information appeared credible, but the context was wrong.
The experience reinforced an important lesson: technology is only as reliable as the information it processes. Garbage in still produces garbage out. For senior advisors, the challenge is knowing how to combine technology and experience. AI can accelerate research and generate ideas, but judgment, context, and verification remain distinctly human responsibilities.
Purpose: The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Leadership lessons from a career in finance and nonprofits point to a simple truth: titles and credentials matter, but they are secondary to the ability to solve meaningful problems. The defining trait of a trusted senior advisor is the willingness to confront challenges with discipline, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to finding solutions.
As experienced advisors prepare the next generation of leaders, Diehl believes technical expertise alone is not enough. Younger professionals need both a sense of purpose and a commitment to lifelong learning. “Having a purpose in life will really help you focus and allow you to have a lot of freedom in making choices in life,” he says. “We often forget that every day we should be learning something,” Diehl says.
