How to Make Decisions

One of the most crucial lessons for any leader, or anyone for that matter, is understanding the balance between logic and gut feeling and knowing when to rely on each. There are numerous instances in life where logic suggests one course of action, yet your intuition tells you otherwise. In these cases, the correct answer often lies in trusting your gut rather than purely relying on logic. Below, I will explain why this is the case. While the reasoning might seem unscientific, the lack of scientific validation does not negate its validity.

Logic relies on data, and frequently, we do not have all the information we need. For example, logic cannot predict the future, but sometimes our intuition can. How does the gut know? It perceives the future in a way that logic cannot. You might choose to dismiss this because there is no scientific evidence to support it, but throughout history, countless individuals have trusted this inner knowledge.

In my experience, I once used every logical piece of data to decide on purchasing an expensive piece of real estate. Despite my gut instinct screaming against it, logic clearly indicated I should proceed. My gut feeling was so strong that I spent a considerable amount of time conducting more logical analysis. Ultimately, I bought the property. Over the next ten years, it brought me no profit or joy. I used it personally for only one year and barely enjoyed it. I can only imagine the opportunities I missed by not listening to my gut.

Your intuition often knows best. Understanding the technical workings of this inner sense is unnecessary. Just as you don't need to understand the complex processes of digestion to trust that your body is nourishing itself, you don't need to understand how your gut feeling works to trust it in decision-making. Simply trust that it knows best.