Intuition is what keeps us in alignment with our true selves and our true purpose. The way intuition plays out in leadership is a cultivation of what I call the Third Way.
A Third Way presents itself when leaders step out of the narrow, binary thinking, for example, good or bad, right or wrong, win or lose. It is a redefining of a situation that allows for a larger, more expansive view. Besides the good or the bad, a Third Way rises above to see what else is also true. Because we are so often caught up in either/or thinking, such a profound shift can feel magical. A flash of genius. A gut-level conviction. Your intuition at work.
The next time you’re faced with a challenging leadership situation, assume a reflective stance. Get out of the field and into the stands.
Before you react, think about the range of creative responses you can have to the situation.
What if you didn’t label the situation as good or bad; instead you thought about it as interesting? Dig a little deeper. Be curious about all the forces at play.
Is there really a problem that needs to be fixed, or can you redefine the situation entirely?
Can you see a more empowering way to interpret the event? Can you invent a Third Way out of the challenge that will take you further, faster?
Be open to all the many ways you can choose to see what is happening. Get out of the bind of good/bad thinking to let your intuition work for you.
Kathryn D. Cramer, PH.D.
Founder and Managing Partner, The Cramer Institute
