I’ve recently been working with a client on a challenging issue that’s important but not urgent. It’s been added to a list of activities that need solving so it’s been discussed in several meetings, we’re gathering data and we’re inching our way towards a resolution.
This will probably sound familiar. It’s a tried and tested way of dealing with and resolving particularly gnarly problems that draws on process, logic, evidence and experience to solving challenges like this. If we’re using this approach, surely we’re saving time and reducing the stress involved in trying to come up with new ideas to solve a problem? We’ve already got a way of dealing with this that we know works so why do anything different?
Image: Coasteering, unsplash
In our busy, busy, busy world, this can seem like a safe and sensible option, especially when we’re in the midst of organisation change which can feel risky and uncomfortable.
But I’d like to offer an alternative – listening to our guts. Have you ever found yourself waking up with the solution to a problem that you’ve been mulling over, or you didn’t even know was a problem? Have you ever had an uneasy feeling that something feels really right – or not? Have you based what might feel like snap decisions on what you’ve called your gut instinct, judgement or a hunch?
Although it might feel uncomfortable for many of us to make what feel like extremely important decisions to instigate change in our lives on the basis of a gut instinct - something that’s essentially invisible and not quite quantifiable - this ‘sixth sense’ can be invaluable. There’s evidence that backs up the importance of trusting this instinct.
If we think literally about the ‘gut’ in gut instinct – there is an increasing amount of science around the gut (or digestive system) in our body. Although there is a huge amount still to learn in this area, the gut microbiome in our bodies weighs about 2kg and is bigger than the average brain (The Observer Magazine, 11 July 2021). Increasingly, we’re hearing that depression or anxiety can be directly affected by our gut microbes too. I’ve heard scientists call this our second brain and for good reason. Keep it healthy and supported by good nutrition and it will help you.
There are countless stories of well-known business leaders ‘going with their gut’ from Steve Jobs to Bill Gates – Gates even said, “often, you have to rely on intuition”. They may not get it right every time, but importantly, it offers a different perspective, another way of thinking.
There’s often a myth that going with our intuition is a snap decision. From my own experience and working with others, I’ve seen that it can be quite the opposite. Often, leaving the seed of a problem to germinate gives our brains time to subconsciously come up with a solution. This can take days, weeks or even longer.
If you have lots of data available which can help you make a no-brainer decision, then that’s great. But what happens if something is still holding you back, that nagging feeling that there’s something else. What do you do then?
If you’re not sure about this in a business context, then consider Bill Allen, CEO of Boeing in the 1950s. He had an idea to build his own commercial jet when the business was then all about defence. He convinced the board to go with his idea to develop the 707, a transcontinental airliner, transforming Boeing for ever.
Or, think about Dame Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop. After her untimely death in 2007, many of the comments made about her cited her trust in her gut instinct or gut feeling, especially when it came to the controversial decision of selling the business to L’Oreal. The list goes on.
All well and good but how on earth do you cultivate an approach based on intuition if that’s not your usual way of operating?
The answer lies in making some space in all the daily busyness to allow this approach to kick in. It involves more than just making time in your diary to be more ‘creative’.
It means cutting ourselves some slack and being more self-compassionate; giving our brains a rest (for example, think about walking without any headphones); having a sounding board to work through ideas; doing breathing exercises and having somewhere you can quickly write down ideas and thoughts when you wake up. A tip on this last point – don’t filter it, just write. You might be surprised what pops up.
There are so many more ideas than I can add here, but sleep, good nutrition and talking can also make a huge difference.
I’ve found that ignoring my gut instinct often hasn’t ended well. It’ll shout louder over time and will eventually end up protesting with banners in the form of migraines or stomach upsets to get me to listen.
Giving a little time and space for my instinct to share what is very often the right decision has made all the difference, especially when I’ve wanted – or needed – to make changes in my life.
If you would value a sounding board for your ideas and test your gut instinct, especially if you’re facing big change, then get in touch.