“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

—Albert Einstein

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In this chapter, we explore the good and the bad of intuition, the gift and the gnarl, through the lens of intuitive leaders—the Captains of Wayfinding.

 

The gift to which Einstein so aptly referred is the elusive, unconscious power of intuition.

 

Intuition is the ability to know something without analytic reasoning. It comes from the Latin word intueri, which means to look inside or to contemplate. It is an elusive way of knowing. It’s been referred to as “a powerful voice that speaks without words.”

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While intuition is often referred to as a “gut feeling,” we know there is mounting evidence that it’s more than just a feeling.

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Your intuition is different from your conscience… your conscience shouts, “Here’s what you should do,” while your intuition whispers, “Here’s what you could do.”

—Steven Spielberg

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Navigating Intuition Bias

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Know your Knots

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Have my intuitive decisions consistently led to positive outcomes, or have there been instances where they have resulted in errors or setbacks?

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Do I use intuition as a starting point to generate hypotheses that are then tested with evidence, or do I rely solely on intuition without further examination?

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Do I strike a balance between trusting my intuition and conducting objective analysis, depending on the nature of the decision?

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THE BOTTOM LINE

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When you can't beat them, you join them!

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The Strategy Equation:

Intuition Bias + Logic Bias = The Sound and Savvy Model

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Steadies the ship, empowering intuition

with thoughtful, logical reasoning.

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Learn how to harness the force of cognitive and emotional biases to work for you instead of against you.

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You'll find navigation techniques and strategies to manage the Intuition bias for the leader, and for the organization in Mind Knots

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Adapted from Mind Knots