Intuition as expert knowledge
In terms of knowing, we can use our knowledge to understand something through analytical step-by-step reasoning, e.g. comparing and contrasting alternatives, evaluating them, examining their characteristics, the associated costs and benefits, etc. However, such step-by-step reasoning is not the only way of knowing.
Intuitive knowledge is the concept of the knowledge arrived at by means of intuiting. Decision takers and scientists often describe intuitive knowledge as they just ‘know’ in a moment without knowing how or why they ‘know’.
We seem to mistrust intuitive knowledge obtained through ad hoc or, at least, less-defined practices. But this perception is changing and, in business, we are starting to recognise that the deliberative conscious reasoning is not the only way of arriving at valid knowledge.
Intuition in creativity and innovation
Within the management literature, intuition has been primarily examined in terms of its role in decision-taking. Hence, much research is about how intuition is used to produce a judgement. According to Dr. Viktor Dörfler, intuitive judgement is just one kind of intuition. The other is intuitive insight.
The reasoning is, while intuitive judgements are immensely important, they very rarely light the way to original creative leaps. Naturally, the creative process may involve intuitive judgements, for example, judging which path to pursue in the course of a new project. However, the potential game-changing argument is that there is intuition which is not judgement, but intuition that actually produces new knowledge. This is “intuitive insight”.
Companies could have a lot to gain by starting to include intuition more in their processes. Furthermore, by separating intuitive insights from intuitive judgements, there is a chance businesses can increase their originality, creativity and innovation.
Intuitive judgement is most valuable with structured problems calling for a decision. For example, “Can we increase quality by two percentage points by changing our inspection process?”
Intuitive insight is most valuable with a poorly structured problem. For example, try to predict what it will take to succeed in any industry seven years from now.
Sources: Dörfler, V. and Ackermann, F. (2012) Understanding intuition: The case for two forms of intuition, Management Learning 43(5) 545–564, sagepub.co.uk; Bruce Kasanoff, LinkedIn. 2017. The Only Way to Be Truly Original and Creative. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/intuitive-insights-power-all-creative-leaps-bruce-kasanoff. [Accessed 24 August 2017], Julian Birkinshaw, London Business School. 2017. Analysis Paralysis. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.london.edu/news-and-events/news/analysis-paralysis-1191?display=expanded#.WZ7go7pFwdU. [Accessed 24 August 2017].
Action Point
Think of an example where you used intuitive judgement and an example where you used intuitive insight in practice. Define to yourself the difference of the two concepts.