When you make decisions, which do you rely on more: intellect or intuition?
Let me tell you about a time I listened to the wrong one….
I used to love politics. I got hooked at the age of 15 years when I attended a nomination meeting to select the candidate who would run under the Progressive Conservative banner in my constituency. It was so exciting! The speeches were passionate, full of hope for what each candidate wanted to do to serve our community. Supporters in the room were decked out in their candidate’s buttons, cheering and waving posters, and telling each other how amazing it would be once their person was elected.
For a young person who dreamed of making a difference in the world, this experience was electrifying!
So I volunteered to work on the winner’s campaign and the excitement continued! I spent weeks knocking on doors in my neighborhood, explaining why my candidate was the best person to represent our community. After he won the election, I served on his Board.
Over many years, for three different parties, I volunteered for many campaigns, helped develop policy, and became the President of my Constituency Association. I also coordinated all the Party Leader’s tours of my area, introducing the Leader to the organizations and businesses in my community, creating awareness of our strengths and advocating for our needs.
After 27 years of political volunteerism, I finally ran in a nomination myself. I campaigned, knocked on doors, and did all the things candidates do.
On the night of the only debate to help voters choose amongst the 5 candidates, I remember thinking I should be so excited. Here I was, after SO many years of work, about to fulfill a dream!
Yet I wasn’t excited.
In fact, I felt sick.
My intuition had been telling me all along NOT to run. So why did I?
I ran because so many people believed in me and had asked me to. I didn’t want to let them down.
I also ran because my husband and I had always dreamed of my doing so, and with his health, we didn’t think there would be another chance before he died. (This turned out to be true.)
I didn’t respect the Party Leader at that time, or the direction the Party was going, but I kept telling myself that if I was elected, I could help change things from within.
I really wanted to serve my community and make things better for people.
Intellectually, these were all good reasons. So why weren't they enough?
The truth is that politics had changed a lot since that first meeting I attended at age 15, and so many years of “seeing behind the curtain” had left me feeling jaded and discouraged.
Also, being true to my values meant that I insisted that everything we did in my campaign had to be ethical. I’m glad I ran my campaign that way, but it cost me a lot of votes.
I had an AMAZING campaign team, but truthfully, most of my campaign felt like torture.
Many people said I won the debate that night, but the end result of the vote? I came in second to someone who had never been involved or volunteered in politics, but who was willing to do what it took to win. As one of my team members said afterwards, “He wanted it more.”
She was right.
Intellect or Intuition?
I often reflect on this experience when I am about to make an important decision. Will I listen to my intellect or intuition?
Because as much as my intellect will try to take control, I’ve learned that my INTUITION IS NEVER WRONG.
This can be a tough truth for leaders to accept. How can you justify decisions made with your gut rather than with your head?
Here’s the difference:
Your intellect is formed and influenced by so many outside forces, such as your education, the people around you, and your circumstances.
Your intuition comes from within. Centered in your purpose, it’s that voice of wisdom and deep knowledge that speaks to who you are, and what your potential is.
Your intuition is the essence of who you are.
Now, you don’t have to ignore your intellect. Acknowledge the facts, assess them, and weigh them carefully.
Then, trust your gut.
Ultimately, trusting your intuition is trusting YOURSELF.
And trusting yourself is crucial to being an effective leader.
How can you learn to trust yourself (and your intuition) more moving forward?
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*Authentic content written by Kimberly Lyall, Lighting up Leaders
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