When Intuition Misleads: A Leadership Lesson in Balance

Published On:

November 8, 2025

When Intuition Misleads: A Leadership Lesson in Balance

Some of my connections once shared a story that stayed with me.

They talked about trusting the wrong partner, even when the signs were there. It was a painful lesson, and one I have seen repeated in leadership and project management alike.

We often say, “trust your intuition.”

And that’s true. Intuition is powerful. It’s that quiet inner voice that merges experience, observation, and emotional awareness into one moment of judgment.

But the truth we don’t talk about enough is that even intuition can be wrong.

Why?

Because intuition is shaped by what we have lived through. And sometimes, our experiences come with traces of bias, fear, or emotion that distort our judgment.

I have learned this the hard way as a senior leader. There were moments when I was certain I had the right read on a situation, only to later realize I had missed something crucial.

So what do you do when your intuition feels uncertain? How do you stay decisive without being impulsive?

Over the years, I have developed a habit that helps me strike a balance between instinct and clarity. When intuition kicks in, I don’t silence it, and I don’t act instantly either. I pause and validate.

Here’s how I approach it:

Seek perspective.

I reach out to one or two trusted voices who see things differently. They help me catch what I might not see.

Check the data.

Emotions can cloud perception, but data does not lie. Numbers and facts bring balance when the moment feels uncertain.

Stay self-aware.

I ask myself a simple question: “Am I reacting, or responding?” That single pause often changes the entire outcome.

Intuition is not the enemy of reason; it’s a partner to it.

The best leaders know when to listen to that inner voice and when to test it against logic and feedback.

Because while instinct sparks action, clarity sustains direction.

So I will leave you with something to reflect on:

When was the last time your intuition misled you, and what did it teach you as a leader?

PML would like to extend a huge thank you to Ifebuche Juliet for sharing her knowledge and wisdom with the PML community! Learn more about her below and reach out to connect!

About the Author

Ifebuche Juliet is a Senior Project Manager, Mentor, and Executive Director who helps teams align strategy, execution, and people to deliver measurable growth. Passionate about leadership, collaboration, and clarity in execution, she writes about project delivery, people strategy, and productivity.

Connect with Ifebuche on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ifebuche-juliet-obi/

And check out her Medium page here: https://medium.com/@ifebuchejulietobi

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