Intuition: The Leader's Next Best Friend

Cathie Leimbach • November 7, 2023

Intuition, an underutilized aspect of Human Intelligence

“The organization that fosters intuitive decision-making will make better and quicker decisions.”     

Andy Stanley


Andy Stanley has recently suggested that intuition is a leader’s next best friend. He defines intuition as cognitive knowing without knowing why. It is not an emotion but rather a gut feeling that comes from having extensive experience in a field.

Andy and many others encourage us to listen to our gut feelings. When we are part of a team, it is helpful for us to share our gut feelings with others and get their feedback. Introducing the ideas we can’t explain may spark innovative and effective strategies.

Here are a few pointers he shares to help us recognize and explore our intuition.

1.     When there is something about a proposed decision that doesn’t feel right, ask “Is there a tension that deserves my attention?” Pay attention to such tension. Let’s speak up with our concerns because this is our intuition speaking.

2.     When we start selling ourselves on an idea but really aren’t buying it, we may be trying hard to justify a logical decision rather than exploring an option that seems to have come from nowhere. We may be squelching our intuition which could have taken us down a better path.

3.     Ambition and intuition are not the same thing. Ambition is often self-serving and focused on what we want. Intuition is more often something we simply feel compelled to do that could benefit the group or the organization.

4.     Let’s discover who on our team has experience and intuition in various aspects of our work. Then, include them in discussions that relate to their areas of intuition and seriously consider their insights when making decisions.

The next time you have a gut feeling, consider its possibilities. Going down that path may take you and your team out of your comfort zone to a better place. 

The Performance Gap: Why Half Your Team is Burning Out

By Cathie Leimbach • September 30, 2025
Based on insights from James Hewitt's "Regenerative Performance" Something's not adding up in today's workplace. While companies demand more from their teams, the results tell a concerning story. Research shows that 50% of employees now show clear signs of burnout, and an alarming 73% feel disconnected from their work. James Hewitt, performance expert and author of "Regenerative Performance," points to a critical mismatch. We're asking people to perform at peak levels without giving them what they need to recover and recharge. Think of it like a smartphone. You can't expect your phone to run at full power all day without plugging it in. Yet that's exactly what we're doing to our workforce. We pile on meetings, deadlines, and pressure while cutting back on the very things that restore energy: breaks, development time, and meaningful connection. The solution isn't working less—it's working smarter. Hewitt's research reveals that sustainable high performance comes from balancing intense effort with intentional recovery. Teams that build in time to recharge actually outperform those that push through exhaustion. Smart leaders are already making the shift. They're protecting their people's energy as carefully as they manage their budgets. Because burned-out employees don't just hurt themselves—they hurt the bottom line too. Want to dive deeper into this issue? View The Burnout Crisis to understand the full scope of this workplace challenge. "Sustainable high performance comes from the rhythm of oscillation—not from the intensity of effort alone." —James Hewitt

Why Boring Beats Brilliant

By Cathie Leimbach • September 23, 2025
Craig Groeschel's Blueprint for Real Leadership