Jay Patel is a supply chain and business leader, author, and speaker.
We live in an era defined by the relentless march of data. Algorithms curate our news feeds, predict market trends and even recommend our next career move. As leaders, we’re bombarded with dashboards, analytics platforms and AI-powered insights promising to unlock the secrets of success. It’s tempting to cede decision-making to the machine—to trust the cold, hard logic of the algorithm.
But I would argue that in this data-saturated world, cultivating your intuition is more critical than ever.
The Algorithmic “Canary In The Coal Mine”
Just as miners used canaries to detect dangerous gases, our intuition can alert us to subtle shifts and emerging patterns that even the most sophisticated AI might miss. Big data excels at identifying correlations within existing datasets. It thrives on the known. But leadership, especially in times of unprecedented change like the global realignments and supply chain disruptions we’re currently witnessing, demands navigating the unknown.
I believe the problem is that we’ve been conditioned to distrust our gut. We’re told to “be data-driven,” as if intuition and analysis are mutually exclusive. This is a false dichotomy. The most effective leaders I’ve encountered across industries, from Silicon Valley startups to Fortune 500 boardrooms, understand that data and intuition are complementary, not competing, forces.
Data provides the “what.” Intuition helps us understand the “why” and, crucially, the “what if.” It’s the ability to connect seemingly disparate dots, to sense unspoken anxieties in a team, to anticipate a competitor’s next move based on a gut feeling rather than a market report. It’s the capacity to recognize an opportunity lurking within a sea of noise—an opportunity that hasn’t yet registered on any algorithm’s radar.
I’m not suggesting we reject data, but rather that we recognize its limitations. Algorithms are built on past data, making them inherently backward-looking. They can struggle to adapt to truly novel situations—black swan events, paradigm shifts or the subtle human dynamics that drive so much of business and geopolitics.
Three Strategies For Moving Forward
So, how do you cultivate this “algorithmic canary”—your intuition—in a world that prioritizes data above all else? Here are three actionable strategies I have found to be applicable regardless of industry or leadership level:
1. Practice mindful observation.
Start by slowing down your thinking. This isn’t about meditation retreats (though those can help!). It’s about actively paying attention to the world around you, beyond the data points.
Observe the body language of your team during a meeting. Listen to the tone of a customer’s voice, not just their words. Engage with diverse perspectives—even those that challenge your assumptions. These seemingly small observations are the raw material of intuition.
2. Embrace “strategic inefficiency.”
Our hyper-optimized, efficiency-obsessed culture often leaves little room for serendipity and reflection. Build in time for activities that don’t have an immediate, measurable ROI. Read widely, outside your field. Take walks without your phone. Engage in conversations with people from different backgrounds. These “inefficient” activities can create space for new connections and insights to emerge.
3. Trust, then verify (with data).
When you have a gut feeling about something, don’t dismiss it. Acknowledge it. Articulate it. Then use data to test and refine your intuition. This iterative process can allow you to leverage the power of both your analytical and your intuitive mind. The data may confirm your hunch, refine it or even disprove it, but I have found that the process of engaging with both parts of your mind is what strengthens your leadership muscle.
The Takeaway
In an increasingly complex and unpredictable world, leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, even when—especially when—a dashboard doesn’t prompt them. Your intuition, honed by experience and mindful observation, is a powerful, often untapped resource.
Learn to trust your algorithmic canary. This capability is evergreen, and it may just guide you to opportunities and solutions that no algorithm can foresee.
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