I too have discovered that first reactions, while sometimes suspect in detail, are damn good on smelling the air. Something is wrong somwhere and it is the job of the consultant to refine it down and pinpoint it.

Gut reactions can be useful too on an consultant themselves.

Feeling short of breath for the past month, diagnosed with pneumonia ... but nope, congestive heart failure. Made a cardio appt, was shot into a hospital for blood pressure and stent insertion. Home now and my business is recovering nicely as am I.

So do not trust your gut just with clients!!!!