One thing I’ve consistently observed over the years supporting women in their careers is how often they doubt themselves or second-guess their decisions. It’s exhausting when you don’t trust your gut to guide you towards the best solution for you.
We lose touch with our intuitive guidance because we’re taught—explicitly and implicitly—that business decisions should come from the head, not the heart. The dominant, masculine narrative says success is about cold analysis and rational thinking, and anything emotion-based is considered “soft.” How often have you heard that in workplace conversations?
Yet, whenever I’ve made a truly significant decision in my life, intuition has been central. Sometimes I wasn’t fully conscious of it at the time, but looking back, I see how powerfully it shaped my choices.
One vivid example: I left a successful role as a charity CEO to move into management consultancy. I hadn’t secured another job yet, but something in me just knew it was the right moment to leap. Later, I relied on that same inner knowing when I decided to leave consultancy and start my own business. That too felt risky—very much a leap of faith—but here I am, 18 years on, with no regrets.
These days, intuition not only guides my own decisions—it plays a big part in how I coach. My sixth sense has become a powerful tool, helping me reach the heart of a matter far more quickly than logic alone. What I’ve come to realise is that the “presenting issue” clients bring to coaching is rarely the real one. Intuition helps me tune into what’s unspoken but vital.
So I invite you to reflect: how are you currently using intuition in your work? And more importantly—how might you develop this powerful skill to bring more fulfilment and clarity into your career and life?
Here are five practical ways to increase your intuitive capacity:
1. Take a few minutes each day to quiet your mind.
You don’t need to sit cross-legged for hours to benefit from meditation. Just five minutes each morning—eyes closed, body relaxed, focusing on your breath—can help you tune out noise and tune in to your inner guidance.
2. Journal your thoughts, feelings, and observations.
Writing helps you notice patterns and insights you might otherwise miss. Even a short daily entry—What felt off today? What surprised me? What gave me energy?—can deepen your intuitive awareness.
3. Spend time in nature.
Time outdoors, especially in green spaces, helps regulate your nervous system and clears mental clutter. The stillness of nature often allows intuitive nudges to come through more clearly.
4. Pay attention to your body’s signals.
Intuition often shows up in physical form—a gut feeling, a sense of heaviness, or a burst of energy. Start to notice how your body responds to people, decisions, and environments. Your body holds wisdom your mind hasn’t caught up with yet.
5. Follow your curiosity.
Sometimes intuition shows up as a quiet nudge: “Check that out,” “Call her,” “Go this way instead.” Following these small breadcrumbs, without needing to know where they’ll lead, strengthens trust in your inner voice.