I wonder who said this quote?

I love it because it’s so true. Gut feelings – those quiet, intuitive nudges and often our brain’s fastest form of wisdom.

And they matter because they’re not random; they happen because our subconscious is processing stuff, based on our experiences and emotion. ​

​Here’s why I think it’s worth listening to our gut feelings…

​✨ They’re fast and holistic – your gut integrates thousands of micro-signals, i.e. tone of voice, body language, past experiences, faster than conscious thought. It’s your brain saying, “I’ve seen this before.”​

✨ They protect your values – gut discomfort often signals a misalignment with your values, boundaries, or integrity. If something feels “off,” it probably is.​

✨ They reveal emotional truth – sometimes your gut knows what your logic won’t admit. It’s your emotional compass. For example, that a relationship is draining, a project is wrong, or a decision is fear-driven.​

✨ They guide courageous action – following your gut often means stepping into discomfort, saying no, speaking up, or changing course. That’s where the growth happens.​

However, whilst gut feelings can be powerful guides, they’re not infallible, so here are a few things to remember…

👉 Because gut instincts are shaped by our past experiences and conditioning, they may often reflect our unconscious biases​.

👉 Intuition can lead to snap judgments that feel certain but lack evidence​.

👉 Stress, fatigue, or fear can distort gut signals. What feels urgent or risky might just be emotional noise, not strategic truth​.

👉 Sometimes the gut says “don’t go there”, but it’s not wisdom, it’s avoidance!!!​

If you’re a leader who relies solely on your gut, decisions can feel subjective or unfair to others.​

​Four ways to test your gut feelings?​

​❓ Pause and name the feeling: I feel uneasy. What’s that about? What is my gut telling me and why?​

❓ Test it against evidence: Ask, “If I ignored this feeling, what might happen?” Does the data support this instinct?​

❓ Use values as a filter: Is this aligned with my/our values?​

❓ Invite other perspectives: What do others see that I might be missing?​

​I’d be really interested to hear from you when you’ve followed your gut and been glad you did? What did it protect or reveal?​

​Or, of course, when has your gut led you astray and the learning you received as a result!​