Head? Gut? Heart? What’s the Best Source of Intel for Business Decision- making?

We’re taught and encouraged to trust and rely upon our brain - our analytical mind - to guide our actions and decisions as we build and grow our business. We educate ourselves in solid business practices, employ strategy, consider pros and cons, make plans based on data and statistics, conduct market research... all in the name of creating rational, prudent, well-advised forward momentum. For much of success in business, that cognitive approach works just fine. In most cases, thinking through any issue and utilizing rational, well-substantiated facts gets us favorable results.

As humans, however, we’re endowed with additional means by which to gather intel to inform our actions and decisions: our gut and our heart. Adding what we feel and want into business dynamics adds a nuanced element to the equation. These supplemental intel-gathering sources can enhance decision making by adding a higher degree of personalized wisdom to decisions and actions.

Intuition (the "Gut Feeling")

Traditionally, heeding ones’ intuition has been dismissed as "mystical thinking" and the use of it to guide decision-making dissuaded." Studies, however, have found that, combined with analytical thinking, intuition increases the quality of and speed at which decisions are made - in addition to the degree of our confidence in them.

When situations arise that have no clear-cut solution, intuition can help tip the scales one way or the other. Ever been trapped in the "overthinking rut" realizing that no amount of further thought, consideration or analysis is going to help a decision to be made? Intuition to the rescue for breaking the tie logjam.

Intuition is only helpful, though, when we’re certain that’s what we’re tapping into. When we experience that "gut feeling" - how can we be certain it’s not something else, like fear? Run the feeling through this test:

Is the sensation tense, panicked or desperate, as if it’s pushing us in a direction to avoid a threat? Are there self-critical thoughts or feelings of compromise? Then it’s fear we’re feeling.

Alternatively, is the sensation inviting, with a sense that its energy is pulling or propellingtoward what is ultimately right, even though there may be some surmountable obstacles like risk or a longer timeframe? Are you experiencing a grounded sense of excitement, anticipation and ease? Now that’s intuition.

Desire (the "Heart")

We feel desire in our heart; it’s where we sense the things that impact us emotionally. Although it’s long been a belief that there’s no place for emotions in business, the fact is, emotions are guided by our values - which are critical elements of any sound decision. When decisions are in alignment with our values, our heart can back them 100%; if a decision causes us to go counter to a value, it’s going to sting us emotionally. Likewise, if we fail to admit or disclose how we really feel when making a decision, things are going to feel "off" and inauthentic. Sound decisions shouldn’t leave us feeling like we’ve compromised our integrity. It’s important to run decisions by the filter of our heart to ensure that they’re in accordance with what we feel is right.

Admittedly, the intel we derive from checking in with our intuition and our desires is more subjective and less fact-based than when we rely solely on our cognitive powers. Yet checking in with our gut and heart enhances our decision-making process, leading to even sounder, wiser, more aligned decisions and actions. So, the answer to the question posed in the title is that your head, gut and heart are all valuable sources of intel for business decision-making - but none of them alone tell the whole picture. It is a hybrid of these three elements that effective leaders utilize as a winning strategy for making decisions that move their businesses ahead with clarity, purpose and insight.

Do you remember to check in with your gut and your heart to make strong decisions in your business?