Balancing Logic and Intuition in High-Stakes Decisions

Welcome to this month’s edition of Intuitive Leadership Insights! Today, let us discuss a crucial skill for every leader, something you may have not considered; balancing logic and intuition in high-stakes decisions.

As leaders in the crazy, chaotic, ever changing world of business, you’re often faced with decisions where the stakes are high and time is super limited. How many of us have faced this while trying to keep afloat? I have and so have millions of others.

Yes, you will hear me speak to how important data and logic are for providing a solid foundation, but intuition is what adds an essential layer of insight that can guide you toward the best outcomes. Sounds great right? It is however, it comes with a challenge and that is knowing when to lean on intuition and when to rely on logic. With years of experience, let me help you sort it out.

The Beautiful Dance Between Logic and Intuition

In business, many believe that logic and intuition are opposing forces however, this is simply not true. Moving forward, let's look at them as complementary to one another as logic provides structure and analysis, while intuition brings a deeper, often subconscious understanding of the situation. When these two forces collide and work together, the result is the creation of a holistic decision-making process that is both informed and aligned with your inner wisdom. Who would have thought?!

When to Use Logic, and When to Trust Intuition

One of the most common questions that I am asked is when do we use logic and when is it we trust our intuition? Its a great question because its often what halts leaders from combining them to begin with so let us take a moment to break it down into three checklists.

Check #1 | Use Logic for Complex Analysis

For situations where data is readily available and the problem requires detailed analysis, its a no-brainer that logic should be your primary tool. Logic helps you weigh out options, break down complex issues and consider long-term consequences.

Check #2 | Trust Intuition for Ambiguity

In situations where we as leaders are in positions to make high stake decisions and information is incomplete (or time is limited), intuition often takes the spotlight. Our intuition draws from past experiences and unconscious knowledge whereby it offers us guidance when logical analysis may fall short.

Check #3 | Check for Alignment

Once we have made a logical decision, its important to pause to see if it aligns with your intuitive sense. Many leaders skip this part but it plays a vital role.

Ask yourself:

"Does the decision feel right?"

or

"Does it sit well with me on a deeper level?"

Checking for alignment is important and if you are seeking confirmation, this is the path. It is what keeps you on the right track and should never be skipped.

How to Strengthen the Balance

Practice. Practice. Practice.

I encourage you to get into the routine of practicing the beautiful balance of logic and intuition which really comes down to the acronym SIT, in which I want you to take a moment to pause and sit with the following:

S | Seek Multiple Perspectives

It is important to consider both internal (intuitive) and external (logical) sources as it enables you to examine the decision from a variety of perspectives, covering various angles to ensure you didn't overlook or miss anything.

I | Integrate Intuitive Reflection

Once you have finished collecting and analyzing the facts, I want you to pause for a moment to consider what your intuition is trying to tell you. We need to be able to trust our intuition, particularly if they are in direct opposition to the logical conclusion or outcome. Logging these in a journal is super helpful to recognize patterns.

T | Trust the Process

Many times, there are instances when your intuition leads you to make a choice that does not immediately make sense from a rational point of view. There is no logical sense to it whatsoever. In these situations, I encourage you to trust and put your faith in the fact that your intuition is drawing from a more profound reservoir of information and knowledge; then embody the courage to follow through with it.

Putting It All Together

I have met many transformative leaders and one thing they have in common is this understanding of the beautiful balance of logic and intuition; especially when faced with important choices.

They understand that when faced with complicated problems, relying only on data-driven analysis can halt creative solutions or often; they miss important insights that aren't immediately quantifiable. These leaders understand that intuition provides a deeper, more natural understanding that can help them quickly assess situations and come up with new ways to solve them; especially when time and/or knowledge is limited.

As you practice and start to improve both your logical and intuitive skills, you end up developing a more well-rounded way of making decisions, an holistic approach that takes into account both facts and intuition.

When we work on this skill, the balancing of both becomes effortless and it then makes it easier for leaders to deal with uncertainty, trust their internal GPS when they don't have all the facts, and ultimately make choices with more confidence.

At the end of the day, I have witnessed what happens to a leader when they use both logic and intuition, they tend to become much better at dealing with both short-term problems and long-term strategic planning. I chalk that up as a huge win, not only for the individual at hand but the team and company's overall success.

Want to learn how to strike the perfect balance between logic and intuition in your leadership decisions? Let’s connect on LinkedIn for more insights and strategies.

Warm regards,

Dr. Tara Murney - Intuition Coach for Business Leaders