The Underutilized Asset in Decision Making

Leaders make decisions every day. Some decisions are based on facts, while others rely on assumptions. However, many leaders utilize another skill when making decisions: Intuition. That involves being in touch with the emotional dynamics of others or the situation at hand, often described as a “gut feeling.” Unfortunately, many leaders mistakenly overlook that skill which can lead to missed opportunities. As a result, being “in touch” with one’s intuition remains an underutilized asset in decision-making.

That skill goes beyond simply connecting with others; it encompasses awareness and sensitivity to the experiences of people and situations. Such awareness allows leaders to navigate complex social settings with poise, grace, and understanding. As a result, they can more effectively recognize and address their organizations’ fears and aspirations.

Cherie, an Asian-American friend, shared how her manager, helped her team through a turbulent time. Recently, hate crimes against Asian-Americans in the United States was making headlines weekly. One morning following news of an incident on a subway train in New York, her manager gathered the team for an open dialogue which he referred to as a fireside chat.  He primarily listened to their concerns and fears, showing empathy for their feelings. Cherie and another Asian-American on the team were scared, and their colleagues were worried about them, but no one was discussing their emotions.

Recognizing the team’s anxiety, Cherie’s manager organized the fireside chat. He offered encouragement, support, and guidance on how to handle the situation. His sensitivity to the team’s emotional state helped them become less distracted. Additionally, his initiative brought the team closer together, fostering mutual support and strengthening their trust in their leader.

Intuition is the ability to understand or know something without the need for explicit data. It involves using insight or wisdom to perceive, interpret, or anticipate a situation. Those of us who are more spiritually conscious often pray for the spirit of discernment. Whether we refer to it as intuition, gut feeling, discernment, or an inner sense, leaders should focus on enhancing their ability to connect with the emotional well-being of their organizations.

Benefits of Being in Touch

The criticality of a leader being in touch with the emotional state of an organization cannot be emphasized enough. This is essential for managing an organization’s culture and the associated decisions. Here are some additional benefits of leaders who are attuned to their organizations.

• Morale Booster. Leaders who are in tune with their teams have a direct and positive impact on morale. This fosters a healthy culture, which is vital for productivity and engagement, and serves as a foundation for the successful implementation of strategies.

• Crisis Manager. By anticipating challenges, these leaders can intercept issues and make decisions before they escalate.

• Situational Leader. Such leaders demonstrate agility in navigating the complexities of social nuances, allowing them to lead effectively in various situations.

• Emotional intelligence. They possess a remarkable ability to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions as well as those of others.

The benefits of leaders who are in touch with their organizations are compelling. Those who fail to be in touch with their team risk decisions leading to low morale, disengagement, increased conflict, reduced collaboration, and insecurity among members.

How to Increase Your Intuition

To enhance your intuitive abilities and stay in touch with your organization, leaders can undertake several intentional steps.

• Develop Self-Awareness: The first step is to understand yourself. This is crucial in distinguishing between intuition, impulsive reactions, and biased-based decisions. That awareness helps you better recognize whether your intuition aligns with reality. Additionally, recognizing your own emotional responses can enhance your ability to identify similar cues in others. 

• Engage in Reflective Practices: Regularly reflect on your decisions, their outcomes, and any new insights gained from various situations. This requires a calm and focused mindset, as a peaceful mind is more receptive to intuition than a stressed one.

• Practice Active Listening: Listen with the intention to genuinely understand the emotional aspects of what is being communicated. Pay attention to visual cues such as body language.

• Cultivate Empathy: While some are naturally empathetic, others are less gifted in that area. Start by showing a genuine interest and curiosity in the emotions of others and making yourself available and approachable.

• Seek Feedback and Commit to Continuous Learning: Strive to enhance your emotional intelligence by regularly seeking feedback and being open to learning from experiences.

• Balance Intuition with Analysis: Learn to integrate your intuitive insights with factual analysis and observations. Intuition develops through experience and practice.

Being in touch means cultivating a keen awareness of the emotional states of others and situations that affect our social experiences. Any leader can develop this skill, but it takes intentional effort and begins with self-awareness.

Leaders have to pay close attention to the emotional climate of their organizations in order to make better decisions. By strengthening their ability to be in touch, those who master this skill will foster a trusting and motivated team, navigate challenges and turbulent times with wisdom, and handle the complexities of social dynamics.  

Empowered Leader Reflection

How in touch would your team say you are with your organization?

Would you share your thoughts with us below?

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