Architecting Clarity & Intentionality
"In photography, the aperture filters light to create focus. In business, we filter noise to create strategic clarity. I help leaders align their technical capacity with their highest intent."
The Aperture Method is a bespoke advisory approach that applies an engineer's mindset to guide complex organizations. By combining robust System Architecture (the technical setup) with Intent-Based Leadership (the human element), we ensure your collective efforts are aimed at the right target from the very beginning.
01. Focus (Aperture)
Filtering out the administrative noise and technical debt (Red Work) to reveal the signal—the highest-value strategic objective.
02. Velocity (Shutter Speed)
Tuning the operational architecture and systems to increase the velocity of decision-making and project delivery.
03. Intent (Depth of Field)
Establishing what must be in sharp focus (the core mission) versus the details left to the empowered team.
The 4-Phase Focus Cycle
Signal Audit (Diagnostics)
A curated, high-touch experience. We start by diligently listening to your business goals and defining what good looks like. This is followed by a rigorous audit of Red Work friction and analysis of existing communication quality.
Architecture (Systems & Protocol)
We architect the Business Operating System—the protocols for how people interact with technology and each other. We advise on strategic AI integration to eliminate friction and build systems that protect focus (Blue Work).
Intent Activation (Coaching)
Installing the "Leader-Leader" operating system. Through coaching, we train the team on why words are important, shifting communication to stated intent, which maximizes autonomy and agency.
System Tuning (Optimization)
Continuous improvement. We schedule "Blue Work" reflection cycles and treat mistakes as system errors to be debugged, not human errors to be punished, ensuring perpetual, data-driven growth.
Ready to Create Strategic Clarity?
I take on a limited number of advisory clients for deep-dive system audits and leadership coaching. Let's discuss your current friction points.
About the Architect
I am Jeff Sawyer, a Business Builder and Leader Engineer with over 18 years of experience bridging technical execution and strategic direction.
My philosophy is grounded in a simple engineering truth: solve the right problem. Whether leading pre-silicon validation and design at Intel or directing enterprise SaaS transformations at Infor, I have always focused on the intersection of technology and human intent. I foster the values that build resilient, multi-discipline teams, empowering them to operate as dedicated partners in success.
Professional Trajectory
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Engineer, ButterflyMX (Current Role) Designing and prototyping new devices, responsible for end-to-end simulation and hands-on debugging across the product lifecycle.
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Practice Director, Infor P&L ownership, defining strategic direction for the CloudSuite Distribution practice, and co-leading the future platform and AI adoption strategy.
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COO / Solution Architect, Acumen Group Designed cloud-based enterprise applications and ran the sales, consulting, and business operations for a primary Infor Alliance Partner.
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Design Engineer / Team Lead, Intel Corp. Led pre-silicon validation and design work, supporting full chip validation, tools infrastructure, and post-silicon debugging (simulation and hands-on).
Educational Foundation
- M.Sc. Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California (USC)
- B.Sc. Electrical Engineering, UC Irvine (UCI)
- B.Sc. Computer Engineering, UC Irvine (UCI)
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Bootcamp, Caltech
The Ladder of Leadership Tool
A core element of The Aperture Method is adopting Intent-Based Leadership. This online tool is my custom digital adaptation of the famous Ladder of Leadership card game, designed for immediate use in coaching sessions to shift team communication from passive compliance to high-agency intent.
Attribution: The Ladder of Leadership concept and Intent-Based Leadership methodology are the intellectual property of L. David Marquet. This digital tool is an independent adaptation created for coaching purposes.