Intake Process: Gathering info or establishing a process?

Quote

“Methods are many, principles are few. Methods change, but principles never do.” - Unknown

Observation

Everyone agrees you need an intake process. What often gets overlooked is that an intake isn’t just about collecting information — it’s about reflecting your approach to consulting.

A well-designed intake balances two things:

1. Organizing client information — clarifying challenges, goals, and context.

2. Integrating your philosophy — the beliefs and principles that shape how you work.

When done well, intake becomes more than a form. It’s the first expression of your consulting identity.

Example

Two consultants may ask about confidence in sport, but how they frame it reveals their philosophy:

• One might ask, “When do you feel most confident during training?” — highlighting a strength-based approach.

• Another might ask, “How do you learn around competition?” — pointing to a controllables/attribution influenced approach.

  
  

Same topic, two very different philosophies in action.

Actionable Idea

Look at your intake questions. Do they only organize client needs, or do they also reflect what you believe about performance? Refine 2–3 questions so they not only gather data but also set the tone for how you’ll work.