Here's the moment that derails most conversations I’ve had about intuition vs. data: someone on the data side says, "But gut feelings are full of bias," and they're right — intuition absolutely can be contaminated by bias. Confirmation bias, recency bias, overconfidence. The research on this is solid. But here's the part that doesn't get said nearly as often: so is your data. The datasets you're analyzing reflect the biases of the people who decided what to measure. The metri

Talking about intuition feels a bit vulnerable for me. Especially since I have worked with organizations and leaders who tend to value research and data. I am a naturally intuitive person, but I’ve learned to use it wisely. A quote I read many years ago from Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix validated my personal experience. He said, "We start with the data. But the final call is always gut. It is called informed intuition." In my time working with senior leaders, I’v

It starts with good intentions. You step into the big deal because you know the client. You review the proposal before it goes out because the details matter. You weigh in on the hire because you understand what “culture fit” really means. Getting involved in important decisions feels reasonable. You’re being thorough, and your intention is to be a good leader. But underneath that, something else is happening that you may not even realize. Your team is learning not to make d