Every business owner has been there. A decision needs to be made, the pressure is on, and there’s no time for a deep dive into data. Maybe this is a big decision, maybe it’s more than marketing-related decisions like getting more people interested in your business.
Maybe this is about hiring someone, firing someone, or just cutting the cost somewhere. So what happens? Well, it’s a quick gut call. It feels right, it seems logical, and it worked once before, so what could go wrong? But a few months later, that “brilliant” decision is draining money, creating chaos, and leaving everyone wondering what went wrong.
Now sure, gut feelings might be great for choosing a pizza topping, or making a quick personal decision like cutting someone out of your life, but when real money and jobs are on the line, they’re about as reliable as flipping a coin. You really need to understand that a business thrives on strategy, not impulse.
Instincts are Just Guesswork in Disguise
Trusting instincts sounds cool in theory, but in reality, it’s just fancy guesswork. Now sure, humans have instincts, all animals have instincts, and they’re there for survival. It’s not that instincts are bad, after all, they’re hardwired into every living creature’s brain. But a gut feeling is built on personal experience, emotions, and sometimes a caffeine high. It’s not logic, it’s not research, and it’s definitely not a solid business strategy. Yet, so many businesses keep making decisions based on “it just feels right” and then act surprised when it all goes sideways.
Then there’s bias. It sneaks into gut decisions without anyone even realizing it. For example, past success tricks people into believing they can’t go wrong. That’s how businesses keep repeating the same mistakes, convinced that “this time will be different.” But it won’t. If something didn’t work before, trusting a gut feeling that it will magically work now is a surefire way to end up with another mess to clean up.
How Smarter Businesses Make Decisions
Now, you really need to understand that good decisions don’t happen by accident. They come from research, planning, and listening to people who actually know what they’re talking about. That last part really can’t be stressed enough! So, smart businesses don’t rely on hunches, rather, they gather facts, consult experts, and look at the numbers.
But one of the best ways to cut out bad decision-making is by using the Delphi method. Well, this is just an example of course, instead of one person calling the shots, this method gathers anonymous expert opinions, refines them through multiple rounds, and reaches a solid conclusion. It’s helpful because egos just don’t get in the way (and usually egos are a part of the gut-feeling aspect in decision making too).
There’s the Cost of Getting It All Wrong
One bad call might not take a business down, but a streak of them? Well, that could indefinitely hurt your business. But really, you don’t want to ignore research, dismiss expert advice, and choose gut feelings over facts leads to lost revenue, missed opportunities, and an endless cycle of playing catch-up.
Successful businesses aren’t the ones making knee-jerk decisions and hoping for the best. Now sure, gut feelings might help in small moments, but when the future of a business is at stake, thinking beats instinct every single time.
