“Intuition will tell the thinking mind where to look next.” — Jonas Salk
In a Salk Institute study, participants were asked to play a card game where they pulled cards from two different decks. The decks were rigged so that one would “win” more often than the other, but the participants didn’t know that — at least, not overtly. It took about 50 cards for participants to consciously realize that the decks were different and about 80 to figure out what that difference was. However, what was really interesting was that it only took about 10 cards for their palms to start sweating slightly every time they reached for a card from the “losing” deck. It was about that same time that they started subconsciously favoring the “winning” deck.
In the study, it was the participants’ intuition that informed them. How does this apply to the real world? When it comes to making major decisions, your intuition can matter just as much, as your intellect. When it comes to referral marketing and building relationships, one’s intuition is a key foundational block in the process.
Intuition comes from the primitive brain; from early on in human evolution when the brain’s ability to detect hidden dangers ensured our survival. These days, we use this capability so little that we don’t know how to listen to it properly. As humans, we also instinctively knew the importance of relationships early on. Without the support of other humans, we simply wouldn’t survive.
When it comes to business, referral marketing and growing your network. Your intuition is more than how you and others make decisions, it’s also about how you connect with people and start building relationships.
Consider this as you grow your network because you want quality people in your network. It’s important to have the right people in your network who are on the same page as you and want to give back. This is where listening to your intuition matters. Your intuition helps you connect and build relationships with others and also helps you to decide whether or not this person is someone you want to connect with and is the right fit for your network.
Check back later this month to read ‘5 Ways Your Intuition Influences Your Leadership, Your Network and 5 Tips to Improve’. You’ll learn about the role intuition plays in strong business leaders and ways that you can improve your own intuition.