WATCH: How Effective Is Your Decision Making?

In this episode, I’d like to talk about ‘The Paradox of Instinctive Logic’. It’s one of the 12 behavioural Paradoxes developed by Dr. Dan Harrison. And, if we think of a paradox as two statements, which seem to be contradictory but are yet both true. We can look at a behavioural paradox as having two traits which seem to be opposing one another, and yet when they come together are synergistic.

Analytical and Intuitive

So, in ‘The Paradox of Instinctive Logic’, it’s all about how you apply logic, and use your intuition in order to make decisions. Which means, applying logic to situations and strategies, and also being able to decipher, instinctively decipher, information by using intuition. So, the two traits are ‘Analytical’ and ‘Intuitive’.And, if we’re very strong on one trait and not the other we become out of balance in this paradox. And it’s important to recognise that creates unintended consequences.

Laser Logical

 So, if we’re very ‘Analytical’ and lacking in ‘Intuition’, we can be seen as ‘Laser Logical’. And we may in fact be very good at analysing situations however, we may seek out facts that confirm our conclusions. And, fall into a Confirmation Bias situation. We may miss emerging factors and subtle things that may arise or get overwhelmed by the amount of information or frustrated by the lack of information. So, that can mean that we get ‘Laser Logical’ and that’s not the best way to make decisions.

Non-Logical

 So, if we’re ‘Intuitive’ without being ‘Analytical’ however, we can be seen as being ‘Non-Logical’. We may be able to sense what’s going on, and have a strong feeling about what’s going on, and make decisions based on that. We can fall into the trap of misinterpreting our emotions, or a very strong desire as facts.

Logical Intuition

And, this can also lead to a situation where we may come to conclusions and come to decisions but not be able to back them up because it’s just a feeling. Rather than being able to say “…and this is the analysis and these are the facts behind it”. So, what we want is we want to be able to get to ‘Logical Intuition’. Where we can apply logic to situations but, we can also decipher information and emerging factors by listening to our gut feeling. And, looking and feeling about our experience in the past.  This helps to make better decisions, makes more effective decisions. It inspires others to be better at problem solving, and it avoids being ‘Laser Logical’ and it avoids being ‘Non-Logical’. 

So, when it comes to ‘Instinctive Logic’,  

Stay curious! 

With best regards,

David Klaasen

Talent4Performance help business leaders clarify complexity. We inspire people and drive continuous performance improvement, so they can convert thinking into action and results.

©David Klaasen – 2022