Intuition in Leadership: Dare to Trust Your Instincts

Intuition is a powerful resource in leadership that is often underestimated. I recently explored this topic with a group of leaders I coach, and the results were both inspiring and insightful. I asked a simple question: “How many of you have led a meeting and felt that something was either right—or wrong—without it being explicitly stated?”

Everyone could relate. Intuition, combined with non-verbal communication like eye-rolling, sighs, or avoiding eye contact, provides valuable clues about what’s happening beneath the surface. The challenge lies in acting on these signals.

The group was given an assignment:
Follow up on situations where you sense someone may need support or affirmation.

They understood these conversations should happen one-on-one and be approached with empathy and intentional spontaneity.

When we met again four weeks later, they shared their experiences. By trusting their intuition, they initiated conversations that yielded surprisingly positive feedback. One leader noted this was more rewarding than traditional performance reviews, and several described how their relationships with team members had grown stronger.

Intuition is an essential aspect of effective leadership. It takes courage to listen to your inner voice, but when you act with empathy, the risks are minimal. If your instincts are off, a simple apology will suffice. But when your instincts are right, you strengthen trust and build deeper connections.

Have a brilliant day!

Ulf Lidman

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Ulf Lidman has extensive experience of leadership in various contexts.

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