This week I challenge you to think a little bit about your own intuition. Intuition comes naturally for some, while others develop it over time. Either way, it is a vital part of planning, preparing, and strategizing for the future. There are certainly times where it is important to use intuition in the moment or in response to something, but the most impactful ways to use it is in longer term thinking.  

But there is a big challenge for most leaders in today’s world: We are too busy. We rush from event to event, meeting to meeting, call to call, day to day, but don’t carve out the time for quality thinking in our schedules.  

As we prepare for 2024, we know that there are going to be challenges, shifts, and economic dynamics that force us to pivot. If you, as a leader, are not taking the time to think through what you are seeing today, what you anticipate for the coming year(s), and sharing those thoughts in a discussion with others, then you may miss out on an opportunity, or may get surprised by a situation that you should have seen coming. 

Good leaders develop a sense of intuition that helps them make the best choices. Those choices may revolve around people, sales, growth, expense management, and many more areas of focus. However, we must make the time to listen to the inner voice, concentrate on what it is saying, and do our best to anticipate what that means for our organizations.  

Your intuition is a gift… but only if you use it. This week, I challenge you to make time to listen and analyze, then take action. Don’t waste a good gut feeling because you are so focused on the urgent issues of the day.  

I would love to know what your intuition is telling you about 2024. What are you thinking? Are you anticipating a good year, a year with some margin compression, a year where revenue is off… or a year that is one of your best?  

Make this week awesome!