Consulting with soul: from transaction to transformation 

By Rachel Houghton

These deceptively simple questions framed a powerful conversation among a group of INTRAC’s CSO consultants from around the world in June 2025. Gathered across time zones and experiences, 25 of us came together not to discuss tools, techniques or methodologies, but to explore something deeper: presence, purpose and humanity.

Recognising that soul means different things to different people, we focused less on definitions and more on what it feels like to work in a way that honours our deepest values. From this, a shared longing emerged: to bring more of our whole selves into our work, to connect more authentically with others, and to move beyond the transactional nature that often dominates consultancy.

In a time where many governments are becoming more restrictive and civil society space is shrinking, the aid and development sectors face immense challenges. This landscape can feel quite dry, devoid of the richness and connection that once motivated us. In such moments, we are called to dig deep and remember why we do what we do. Consulting with soul is one way to answer that call.

To help frame our session, I shared insights from Jonathan Gustin, founder of the Purpose Guides Institute. One phrase that stood out was this: “Soul is the source of your dream for an evolved world.”

This, to me, feels like a compass in a time of turbulence; a reminder that soul is not abstract or distant, but an inner presence holding our unique purpose and longing for a better future.

Consulting with soul, then, could be seen to be about aligning our professional practice with our deeper values. It’s about authenticity and integrity. It’s about honouring the humanity of the people and organisations we work with. It’s a move from transaction to transformation.

Across regions and roles, several themes surfaced from those who gathered.

A desire to integrate inner purpose with outer work was strongly felt. One participant expressed a longing to merge her spiritual journey with her professional practice in a way that remained secular and inclusive, saying, “We can no longer work on the surface; it’s just not working.”

Many saw the shifting sector as an invitation to realign and to be more intentional and values-driven. Some were deep in personal or organisational transitions, asking big questions like, “What am I really here to do?” Others were motivated by justice and community, drawn to more relational, connective, and empathetic approaches that centre solidarity and co-creation.

Even for those with decades of experience, the spark remained. They brought heart, empathy and humility, reflecting on how staying anchored in purpose helps to sustain energy and meaning. At the same time, several participants shared stories of walking away from roles that no longer aligned with their values. Others, just beginning their consulting journeys, were already seeking paths rooted in meaning and connection.

Consulting with soul isn’t just a concept—it’s something we can feel and practice.

Participants described a clear shift in posture: away from the traditional consultant-as-expert and toward a more humble, open presence. It means showing up not with all the answers, but with a willingness to listen deeply, to learn and to co-create.

In areas like monitoring and evaluation, so often dominated by rigid frameworks, soulful consulting brings in trust and empathy. It requires listening beyond the words, being attuned to context, and building genuine relationships. It asks us to stay present even when things are messy or uncertain. This is not a call for perfection, but for grounded presence.

Participants also spoke about resisting one-size-fits-all models of success. Soulful consultancy honours what matters most to the communities and organisations we support – even when that doesn’t align with donor metrics. Sometimes, it’s the small things, like shaping budgets that reflect local realities, that demonstrate true solidarity and care.

Toward the end of the session, we asked participants to share how they practice bringing soul into their work. A rich tapestry of rituals and commitments emerged:

• Daily grounding: Through centring, prayer, intention-setting, or mindfulness meditation.
• Reflective tools: Personal check-ins, journaling, self-assessment, and triad conversations.
• Client-centred approaches: Asking not just what we’ll do, but how we want to work together.
• Ethical boundaries: Choosing not to take on work that doesn’t align with our values.
• Peer support: Debriefing with trusted colleagues and holding one another accountable.
• Spiritual intention: As one participant shared, within her Islamic faith attaching intention to every action forms a core part of how she shows up in her work.

The variety of practices showed that there is no single path, but a shared commitment to remember what matters and to act from that remembering – especially in times of transition or uncertainty.

This conversation was more than a discussion; it was a co-created moment of meaning. It gave voice to something often hard to name but deeply felt: the longing to bring our whole selves into our work.

In a world where consulting can often feel technical, extractive or disconnected, this gathering reminded us that presence, purpose and humanity are not extras, they are essential. As Caroline Nyamu, a consultant from the INTRAC network in Kenya, beautifully reflected:

If consulting is to be effective, ethical and truly transformational, then soul – however each of us understands it – must be part of the equation. Consulting with soul invites us to move beyond transactions, ticking boxes and delivering outputs into deeper relationships rooted in trust, integrity and shared purpose. It is not about abandoning structure, but about approaching our work with care and humility; about listening more deeply, asking better questions, and recognising the humanity in the systems and people we support.

In this shift from transactional to transformational, we are reminded that the most enduring impact often doesn’t come from the tools we use, but from how we choose to show up. This is the quiet revolution at the heart of consulting with soul: the belief that meaningful change begins with presence, and that by bringing our whole selves to the work we help create space for others to do the same. In a time of uncertainty and transition this is not just possible, it is necessary.