The Superpower You've Been Told to Ignore

When you think of successful tech founders, you probably picture a Stanford grad—someone super smart who cracks a problem that no one else could. While intellect plays a crucial role, brain power alone doesn’t determine success.

Take founders, they face daily decisions where there’s no clear right answer, or data to draw from - and yet they get it right. So how do they do it when there’s no playbook? Founders are tapping into a greater intelligence than Salesforce (gasp) - their intuition.??

Intuition is what guides founders to see opportunities others miss, make bold moves without second-guessing, and pivot quickly when things aren’t working.?

Here’s where it gets tricky, and when founders can forget their super power. As their company matures, they’re told to stop thinking like a startup and rely on data to lead the business. They’re told to be “data-driven” and to dismiss feelings, especially those immature gut instincts. But in doing so, they risk losing touch with a critical part of decision-making that data alone can’t replace. Intuition.

Intuition is data

Perhaps there’s a war on intuition because we’re not clear what it is. Unlike your tech stack, intuition taps into the intelligence of the universe. This superpower knows the answer before the mind catches up. Even Steve Jobs said, "Intuition is a very powerful thing, more powerful than intellect, in my opinion." Clearly Elon Musk isn’t coming up with his ideas by mastering best practices.?

Since data is information, the insights we gain through intuition should be data points to consider when making decisions.

Your body is the tool that allows you to communicate with this greater intelligence (perhaps AI’s greatest weakness). The “pings” we feel is the universe (aka god, spirit, ect) trying to get our attention.?

Is there a war on intuition?

It often feels like there’s a “war on intuition” in today’s data-driven culture, where intuition is seen as “unscientific.” Most companies prioritize being "data-driven" over anything that appears subjective, reinforcing a "data vs. intuition" narrative.?

But companies like Apple and Google have long proven that innovation thrives when intuition and data work together—Apple's product vision famously relied on intuitive leaps to identify unarticulated customer needs, and Google's “moonshot” projects rely on bold ideas rather than data alone.        

As a marketer, I’m all about data. Having worked with data companies, I’ve seen how it reveals patterns that make us better at what we do, especially in serving nonprofits. Data is a powerful tool.

But intuition? That’s also a data point. There’s no reason to demonize it, or frame it as an either/or approach.

Data is there to inform our decisions, not make them for us. Embracing both gives us a fuller picture for smarter decisions.        

As the unseen world becomes more mainstream and science proves the interconnectedness of all things, more people are tapping into the unseen for guidance. Younger generations already get this.

The thing is, our ancestors relied on intuition for survival. Eat this, not that. Our bodies are designed to connect to the intelligence of the universe to survive and thrive. We’re hardwired for intuition. Future leaders will embrace intuition as a vital tool for innovation, and everyday decision-making.

How to use intuition in business

• Connect the invisible dots. Use intuition to see unrelated pieces of information the logical mind misses. Ask your intuition, “what am I not seeing about this situation?”
• Fork in the road: You have all the data, but can’t decide. Ask yourself, “what is the likely outcome with this decision.”
• Innovation: You know that great idea that came out of nowhere? Chances are it didn’t come from your brain. The universe loves to drop in inspiration. Be ready!
• Weekly guidance: Given that intuition is tapping into the intelligence of the universe, it knows the future and what you actually need, not want. Try using oracle cards for weekly guidance.

What intuition is NOT

Fear: It’s not driven by anxiety or a desire to avoid negative outcomes. Fear clouds judgment and leads to reactive decisions, which can feel like an urge. With constant layoffs in our space, it’s hard not to be fearful at work. As such, hearing the gentle whispers of intuition can be difficult if you’re stressed out.

Overthinking: Intuition is distinct from excessive analysis or rumination. If your “intuition” constantly leads you to negative outcomes, it’s probably not your intuition giving advice.?

Distraction: It’s not an impulse; it’s a deeper sense of knowing that often emerges in moments of stillness and clarity. However, many experience an immediate gut feeling. The key is to know how your body responds to yes or? no. For me, a yes is an up and down feeling in my stomach.?

My Favorite Intuition Tools

Oracle Cards: If you’re thinking, this all sounds good but I’m not exactly a psychic, here’s a powerful hack. The universe loves to send us signs, especially if we ask for them. As such, my personal favorite intuition tool is divination/Oracle cards.?

HeartMath: Tap into the power and intelligence of your heart – your heart's intuition – which awakens you to the best version of yourself. Heart-brain coherence facilitates a stronger connection to the subconscious mind, where intuitive knowledge resides.?

Human Design: Enhance your intuition by understanding your unique design and applying its principles to tap into your inner guidance.

By blending intellect with intuition, you can claim a superpower you already possess. When you master trusting your gut alongside the data, you make smarter, faster decisions.?

Wanna chat? I’m happy to share what I’ve learned and give an oracle reading for business.?