Who We Are
The EdgeIs You
A coaching practice that builds real capability in real people—designed to last, on purpose.
The Philosophy
Think Backward
Most people approach AI the wrong way. They start with the tool and hope it leads somewhere useful—chasing features, collecting subscriptions, and wondering why nothing really changes.
Thinking Backward starts somewhere else: with the outcome you actually want. The specific, concrete result that would change how you work, lead, or build. Then we work backward to the skills, judgment, and strategy that get you there.
It isn't about being contrarian. It's about being intentional. When you define success first, the tool choices get obvious and the noise falls away. The edge was never the model. The edge is you.
Derek Gilbert
Founder & Coach
I grew up on a farm in Othello, Washington, where I learned that the best solutions usually come from thinking differently about the problem—not from buying a bigger machine.
That instinct carried me from agriculture into engineering leadership, and now into AI coaching. After years of watching smart people stall out chasing tools, I started Thinking Backward to do the opposite: build the human fluency that makes AI actually pay off.
The method is simple. Define the win, work backward, act this week. It's how I've always worked. Now it's how I help others find their edge.
What We Believe
Built to Last
Fluency
Tools are easy. Wisdom is earned. We build genuine capability—the kind that knows when to trust AI, when to question it, and when to step in. Not button-pushers. Thinkers.
Humanity
The people winning at AI invest in people, not just technology. We do the same. Because algorithms don't transform careers or companies. People do.
Durability
The pilots that fail optimized for speed. We optimize for staying power. Every session compounds—building capability that strengthens with time.
Intention
AI transformation isn't something that happens to you. It's something you design. We start with the outcome you actually want and work backward.
Find Your Edge
Book a 30–60 minute session. Tell us where you want to go—we'll work backward to get you there.
Book Your Session