By: Marilyn O'Hearne, MSW, MCC

Why use intuition? In our hectic world of information bombardment, the ability to make quick decisions leading to desired results is crucial. The ability to size up a situation and recognize the best course of action used in rapid decision-making is one way of viewing intuition. That rapid, 2 second decision making provides a competitive edge and can even be life- and business- saving, 
as Malcolm Gladwell wrote in Blink.

“Blink“: check in with your intuition, then “Speak“: communicate it with others, for positive, even business-and life-saving Results.

Leaders use their intuition to discover solutions for clients, staff and business decisions. Coaches are trained to utilize their intuition to quickly get at the “heart of the matter”. Intuition guides us in which information to pay attention to. It answers questions like “What is going on? Which way to go?” It can help “cut to the chase,” and prevent “missing the boat.”

Intuition is knowing or believing something instinctively, without necessarily checking for actual evidence for it in the moment. Intuition involves noticing cues (physiological, such as “listening to our gut,” emotional, spiritual and cognitive) or patterns based on experience that ultimately show you what to do.

Recently promoted leaders I coach who have been used to taking time to research and come up with solutions discover they need to learn to rely on intuition to make decisions more quickly. They can learn to “Detect patterns from ‘random noise’” as one study (Penny Mavor) referred to it, or as Gladwell does in Blink, through “thin-slicing”-unconciously filtering through an overwhelming number of variables for the very few relevant factors based on very narrow slices of experience. Complexity theory invites us to continually scan the system to pick up the weak signals (little patterns beginning to emerge).

How are you directly communicating your intuition? It takes courage to speak your intuition. Formerly undervalued or dismissed, intuitive intelligence is now recognized and encouraged in organizations that desire that competitive edge.

I invite you to:

1. Let go of your fear of not having analyzed all the data, not being 100% sure.
2. Learn to trust (and speak!-communicate from) your intuition.
3. Research supports starting from a centered, focused, mindful, present state with a “quiet mind” and letting go of overthinking and fear.
4. Experiment with your intuition and notice when it is working and not working, make adjustments as needed to build your confidence in your intuition.

Intuition: “Blink”+Speak=Results!

“Blink“: check in with your intuition, then “Speak“: communicate it with others, for positive, even business-and life-saving Results.

Learn how to be a Powerful Direct Communicator without Crossing the Line - the next session of the Direct Communication course is starting soon!

Marilyn O'Hearne is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. Marilyn's coaching clients report breakthrough increased PEP (Performance, Effectiveness, and Profitability, and/or Peace, Energy, and Prosperity). For 30+ years, she has facilitated development through coaching, counseling, training, writing (Renewing Your Spirit workbook, etc); teaching at universities, ILCT, and in Brazil. Marilyn’s gentle strength ("the Velvet Hammer") provides a secure foundation while challenging clients (primarily leaders and those in transition) to be their best. Visit her website for more information.