The Role of Intuition in Business
People who are considered intuitive are not generally regarded as being highly adept at running a business. But, thanks to science, that idea is changing. Recent studies show that intuition may actually be a critical component of success.
In 2006, Dean Radin, who is the lead researcher at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS), interviewed Rollin McCraty, who is the Executive V.P. and Director of Research at the Institute of HeartMath, for a Shift in Action podcast. Among the topics discussed was the role of intuition among serial entrepreneurs, executives, and venture capitalists.
McCraty recalled a study conducted in Australia with serial entrepreneurs who have been successful with more than one business. In-depth interviews were conducted over several years. One of the notable things that was found to be consistent was that they all relied on intuition. Another common thread was that they all cared about the community in which they lived and were focused on ways to contribute directly back to it.
A few years later, McCraty conducted his own study with entrepreneurs at HeartMath, in association with Cambridge University, using a slightly different protocol for measuring the intuitive index among serial entrepreneurs. The results confirmed that entrepreneurs showed a much stronger psycho-physiological response than non-entrepreneurs or those with non-executive jobs.
In the interview, Radin also mentioned a study conducted in the 1970s by Douglas Dean at The New Jersey Institute of Technology where precognition tests were given to executives. The results were correlated against their company’s profits. The study showed that there were significant correlations between executives that displayed stronger precognition ability to higher profits. The findings were collected into a book, which is titled Executive ESP.
Because non-profit research facilities like IONS continually seek funding, Radin often comes into contact with venture capitalists. In the interview he noted that all of the highly successful ones rely heavily on intuition simply because they are constantly working in a realm of high uncertainty.
Both Radin and McCraty concede that having a high intuition index is only one component of becoming a successful business manager. They both suggest that a balance between intuitive and rational cognition is necessary. As Radin states, “If you were a pure intuitive, you might be a good psychic reader, but that wouldn’t necessarily mean that you were able to balance your checkbook.”
Research shows that intuition plays a critical role in business. So does caring for your community. It’s not always just about the sale. It’s about balancing heart and mind into a profitable whole that ultimately becomes a win-win for everyone.
