Decision-making is one of the topics that is well researched and regularly
studied in graduate business schools throughout the world. Every leader wants
to know how to make good decisions. And how to avoid bad ones. Especially in
the context of leadership in business.
So where does “gut instinct” or a “sixth sense” play into the role of
decision-making?
Here’s a quick formula learned a number of years ago from a seasoned and
retired friend who was a captain of the industry in which he was a senior
leader:
He said if your gut tells you something “doesn’t feel right,” don’t do it.
Don’t’ buy it, don’t sell it, don’t do it, don’t try it. Don’t – ever - ignore
your gut instincts. No matter what the “facts” appear to say. He said to
“never ignore that sixth sense.”
I believe him. And I have the scars to prove it.
On the other hand, he said, if your gut instinct tells you it is good, or at
least OK, don’t do it - yet. First check the facts and do your homework.
Then, only if the empirical fact-check lines up with your instinct, it’s OK to
proceed.
Good advice. Sinplified version: If your gut says no, don’t go. Don’t even
check into it. On the other hand, if it seems OK at the instinct level, do
your homework first to confirm your instincts. Then proceed.
This has been a very useful rule-of-thumb in decision-making. It’s simple.
But it has saved a fair amount of pain. Except when I have ignored the rule
(in which case I only have one printable word: Ouch.).
Does this ring a bell for you? Does your experience confirm this? Let me
know. Any insights are helpful.
Let me know and we’ll compare notes.