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I don't need to use my stage voice, so somehow I always end up being the second-to-last speaker. That means you are all a little more drunk, which could be either good or bad for me today. I'm going to talk about intuition, innovation, and decision-making. My name is Suzan Bond, by the way, in case you don't know who I am.
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A little bit more about me: I'm not a developer, but I work with developers. My first experiences with technology started back in 1997 when I began working on the internet during its early days. At that time, things were quite new and exciting. I managed a project management department during the Web 1.0 era and traveled on business trips with a team of developers. I developed a deep appreciation for developers.
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Today, I work in marketing for tech startups. My background includes degrees in psychology, sociology, coaching, and I spent ten years as an executive coach. Marty asked me to talk about intuition, and I thought it would be a fun way to reflect on my past. Let’s start with one of my favorite words: Corpus callosum. It’s a fascinating concept that illustrates how intuition connects to what many developers rely on—the rational mind. So what is intuition? It’s simply information that you access without the benefit of rational thinking. Some of you might want to debate this with me later over drinks, but let’s use that definition for now.
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What I want to discuss is how the corpus callosum enables communication between the right and left sides of your brain, which Mike mentioned earlier. This involves moving from the rational side of your brain to the more creative side, where intuition often resides. I refer to them as your rational brain versus your intuitive mind. I’m not suggesting you abandon your rational brain; rather, I want you to learn to use both sides of your corpus callosum for greater effectiveness.
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This is a photo of my dad from the 1970s. He built prototypes for General Motors and worked on the Electra II, one of the first electric cars GM created. He also developed three-wheeled cars. I mention him because, despite being a very rational and analytical person, he taught me the most about intuition throughout my life. He was incredibly intuitive and created some truly remarkable innovations, even earning his own Wikipedia page.
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Recently, I learned about the concept of 'code smell' and found it amusing. I was initially concerned that you might think I was odd for discussing intuition, but a colleague highlighted the importance of understanding code smell. I became curious about how to recognize it. It has a vague, undefinable quality—a pinch of something that needs attention. My goal today is to help you become more adept at identifying and articulating your intuition so that you and your team can work more effectively.
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Let me cut to the chase: intuition isn't always pretty, and sometimes, you have to make an ass out of yourself. Allow me to share a personal story where I had to risk looking foolish. A few years ago, living in San Francisco, I fell ill for weeks and couldn't determine what was wrong. I ran a fever of 102 degrees for weeks, which I knew wasn't normal. Finally, after reaching 105 degrees, I went to the hospital. Despite my insistence that something was wrong, the doctor initially found nothing. I insisted she admit me because I felt there was something significant at stake.
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In the end, she discovered a pint of fluid surrounding my heart, which required urgent attention. After extensive tests and a harrowing episode in which I flatlined, I realized that my intuition had been critical in alerting me to my condition. It was a severe instance of intuition saving me, reminding me that sometimes you need to act on your gut feeling, even if it means risking looking foolish.
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However, one of the problems we often face is that we don't know how to interpret our intuition. We might recognize that something is off, but understanding what it truly signifies can be challenging. This ambiguity can lead to a lack of trust in our intuition. Like the photo I took with an odd filter—it can be difficult to discern the clarity of the situation, leaving us confused about our instincts.
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Your gut feeling can sometimes fail you, leading to mistrust in your intuition altogether. The misunderstanding lies not in the failure of our instincts but in our perceptions of them and how we interpret them. Understanding these nuances is essential, as intuition is not just a random assortment of feelings; it has its own structure and logic.
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For example, while observing a little girl playing with bubbles, I noticed that there was a pattern to the way the bubbles would rise. It wasn't random; there was a methodology to the chaos. Intuition operates similarly. It might seem haphazard initially, but recognizing underlying patterns can facilitate our understanding. By acknowledging that intuition follows certain rules, you can start to embrace it rather than dismiss it.
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One of the challenges in recognizing our intuition stems from our tendency to mistake it for wishful thinking. For instance, we might want a project to succeed, so we convince ourselves that our gut feeling supports this desire. This can mislead us into attributing intuition to thoughts that are merely reflections of what we want rather than objective insights.
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It's essential to distinguish between intuitive insights and thoughts shaped by our desires. Genuine intuition is typically calm and concise, providing clear guidance without unnecessary elaboration. If your intuitive thoughts are erratic or shifting, they may not originate from genuine insight. True intuition should provide steady, consistent guidance that assists you with confidence in decision-making.
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An integral hallmark of intuition involves recognizing instances of synchronicity—when meaningful coincidences transpire that seem unlikely. Reflect on an example where you've experienced synchronicity. For me, I had a moment recently where I thought of a colleague just seconds before I unexpectedly encountered him. Those moments signal that you are connected and balanced between your rational and intuitive selves.
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While intuition communicates uniquely for each individual, recognizing your channel can improve your decision-making process. For example, my intuition often manifests as tears; when I feel this sensation, I know I must pay attention to what's happening. Similarly, developing an understanding of how intuition operates within your brain can lead to fruitful discussions in teamwork.
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There are various ways intuition manifests—some may see visual images, while others may hear soft voices or possess a gut feeling about certain situations. Often, those who lean towards analytical thinking might possess a strong sense of intuitive knowing where they simply feel something is wrong without necessarily knowing why. It’s essential to recognize how your intuition communicates with you.
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As we navigate these feelings, it’s vital to remember that emotions can cloud our judgment. You may feel an overwhelming sadness or discomfort about a project or decision—understanding whether that arises from a gut instinct or a moment of frustration is crucial for accurate decision-making. Embrace these feelings while also being cognizant of their source.
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During my time as a coach, I learned that trusting intuition doesn’t come naturally to everyone and that we sometimes need to take a step back, reset, and be present. A student I worked with hesitated to take time for herself but ultimately saw great benefits in learning how to be still, leading to breakthroughs at work.
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The concept my dad shared about taking walks as a way of processing problems reflects this. Although seen as goofing off, these moments of stepping away from the task allowed for mental clarity and creativity. Similarly, taking breaks or adopting a quieter mindset can lead to significant insights.
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To strengthen your intuition, set aside quiet time to contemplate your feelings and insights. This practice can solidify your intuition's messaging and help you interpret your gut feelings more accurately. Just as Jay mentioned the prefrontal cortex in relation to memory and decision-making, understanding how your brain works can enhance your intuition's effectiveness as well.
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A helpful way to build better decision-making is by recognizing the concept that 'good decisions get better and bad decisions get worse.' Staying aware of this principle while making choices allows you to adjust and pivot as necessary. Reflect on where your decisions fall on this curve—evaluating your intuition along with external input is key.
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Steve Jobs was a significant proponent of intuition, and his legacy underscores the importance of accessing our internal guidance. I’m grateful to all the developers who taught me to contemplate these ideas of intuition. I hope you take this message to heart: exploration, understanding, and fostering your intuition through self-reflection can lead to innovative decision-making.
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If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We'll be heading into a panel shortly. Otherwise, thank you for your time, and I hope these insights about intuition help you enhance your innovative capabilities.