Does intuition have its place in leadership?

I have a question for you…

If you’re an established or aspiring veterinary leader - do you think intuition has its place in leadership?

Most people I’ve asked so far have said “Yes, it does”, but digging deeper I discovered most are referring to trusting their intuition and hunches when it comes to day to day decisions.

What about the big stuff? What about when the hard evidence and data say one thing, but your intuition is telling you different? In these situations, leaders are taught to trust data and logic. After all, there are stakeholders involved who will hold you accountable for your decisions.

Why is it so hard to trust ourselves?

Many of us are not taught to trust that inner voice, because our parents didn’t know how to, and our parent’s parents were taught not to. In scientific fields such as veterinary, you’re taught evidence based medicine. Intuition doesn’t give you cold, hard, evidence. It’s abstract, invisible, and intangible. It’s feeling and knowing things.

It takes a tremendous amount of courage and conviction to stand up and stand out for making an intuitive decision, because what if you’re wrong? There’s a lot at stake – your reputation, your job, other people’s jobs, and pets’ lives! Fear comes into play – fear of judgement, loss, rejection, being mocked.

Imagine what the veterinary profession would look like if up until this point more leaders had listened to, trusted, and courageously followed what their intuitive self was nudging them to see. So many things have remained the same in the veterinary profession for so long because “It’s just the way things have always been done”, and if you dare to suggest differently you are scoffed at.

Times are changing.

Things like emotional intelligence are being more widely understood and accepted, and I don’t think intuitive intelligence is far behind. Giving your internal guide a voice and giving it space to be heard rather than reacting quickly and listening only to the voices of others, will transform your leadership.

I love using intuition to guide my leadership. I’ve made many business and leadership decisions that go against data and logic because it just felt right. Sometimes I was right, and other times I was wrong, but it always led to something even more wonderful.

Intuition is there to serve you if you will let it. 

If you would like to give intuition more of a voice in your leadership, here are 3 tips to get you started:

1. Start Small and Have Fun

Start using your intuition to make small decisions in your day to day life, such as what to have for lunch that day, or which route to take home.

2. Be Present

To notice the often subtle and fleeting guidance of your intuition your mind must be quiet enough to pay attention.

3. Record Your Successes

Keep a diary of all the times you listened to your intuition, and it was right. This is a helpful record to refer to when you’re doubting yourself or having an off day.