Technology powers most offices and technical skills are in high demand. But you're not a cyborg: soft-skills and intuition still matter in your decision-making.
What kinds of soft skills count most when making a tough call? Interpersonal traits like critical thinking and problem solving matter. But so does intentionally tapping into your intuition.
"We've all been there, we've had a gut feeling about a decision or situation, but we haven't articulated it because intuition feels like an invalid reason," said Jessica Pryce-Jones, an executive coach and author of "Intuition At Work: Using Your Gut Feelings To Get Ahead."
And yet, intuition is a legitimate and helpful tool to make decisions, Pryce-Jones found. She cites studies showing that when people were forced to use intuition in a business context, they were right 91% of the time.
You play your best hand when combining intuition with facts and data, Pryce-Jones said.
Get Curious To Develop Your Intuition
Most people are unaware of what's happening inside their minds and bodies while making a decision, Pryce-Jones states. But it's important to know how you're feeling before making a tough call.
When the pressure is on, consciously notice your physical sensations and feelings. Doing this helps you understand your own intuitive cues.
"Those cues might consist of a tight throat, stomach or general discomfort for (the decision to be a) stop, or a sense of an expanding energy and lightness for (it to be a) go," she said. "Whatever cues you get, most people feel some sense of alignment or misalignment with any decision of consequence."
That's your intuition "talking" to you.
Chart Your Intuition
When you note your feelings of intuition, you can start to see recurring patterns in your personal cues, Pryce-Jones said.
"You're likely to get repeats but if you never write them down, you don't get that confirmation back in black and white," she said. "Confirmation builds trust in your personal process, so you become more confident in your intuition."
Also take note of the types of decisions where your intuition works best.
Be Cautious Of Intensity
An intense feeling may not be the best indicator of being right when it comes to intuition, Pryce-Jones says.
She found most people believe that the stronger the intensity of the intuition, the more accurate it must be, but that's wrong. "What matters more is that a thought, sense or feeling keeps coming back to you," she said.
It doesn't mean you should dismiss an intense intuition any more than you should dismiss facts or data. However, intensity could be wishful thinking or bias.
"Wishful thinking can be challenged with logic," Pryce-Jones said. "Bias is likely to be connected with something you've chosen before and should dissipate when challenged, which is why talking to someone else helps."
Utilize Breath Techniques
Our breath is a simple, built-in tool that can powerfully improve your body, mind and spirit when making decisions, said Finnian Kelly, an executive coach and breathwork teacher.
"This makes it a remarkable technology for self-mastery, one that we often overlook because it seems too simple or 'airy-fairy,'" he said. "One study found that practicing focused breathing improved working memory by 20% and significantly reduced mental fatigue."
Kelly, author of "Intentionality: A Groundbreaking Guide to Breath, Consciousness, and Radical Self-Transformation," practices and teaches 12 different breathing techniques.
One of them is called "Heart Coherence Breath." This is when your heart, mind and body are in balance and harmony, he said. Practice this simply by breathing in and out slowly for five seconds each. Sit upright and close your eyes. Do so for at least five minutes.
According to the HeartMath Institute, breath and heart coherence will get you in the best mental state to learn, complete tasks and make decisions," Kelly said.
Besides formal breathing techniques, note what happens when you exercise. Exercise often releases endorphins that make you feel better. Your breathing becomes deeper, more rhythmic and more focused when you move energetically.
And the release of such happy chemicals can help you thrive in a demanding, busy world.
"We don't need more time in our days," Kelly said. "What we need is to get better at decision-making."
