Daniel Goleman, the emotional intelligence “guru,” wrote this great article about how successful business people make decisions. Essentially, they use their gut. In the article, Goldman gives guidance for how to access our “gut feeling.”
Gut feeling derives in part from all the neurons in our digestive system – or the enteric nervous system. So there really is a “second brain” in our gut, that helps inform decision-making. This Scientific American article gives more information on the “second brain” in our gut.
Our “gut feelings” about interviews and employers are often very important pieces of information to add into our decision-making process. When someone has a bad feeling about an interviewer, it’s often a “gut feeling” that there is something not quite right.
Our gut feelings can steer us right, in part because they are not connected to our ego – which can and does lead us astray often.
I took a job once that was all about my ego, and it was one of the most unpleasant jobs I ever had. I wasn’t listening to my gut during decision-making, but it spoke very loudly the first day. I walked in and thought “I am in the wrong place…” The decision was made, I stuck it out for 8 months, and then it was over. I learned a valuable lesson.
In an economy where it continues to be difficult to find work, it may seem foolish to rely on our gut to make decisions about whether to take a job or not. I think it’s important to at least include that information in decision-making. If you take a job for the money and have a bad feeling about it, chances are you will not last long in the position. If you recognized that the bad feeling existed, you can use that information. Continue looking for a better fit job. And don’t be surprised when you are asked to leave or you quit in desperation.
