Ness Labs · Anne-Laure Le Cunff

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The Gut Decision Matrix: When to Trust Instinct and Intuition

11 March 2026Clarity & Focus

Source excerpt

We often talk about “trusting our gut.” But the gut feelings people refer to can actually stem from two very different sources: instinct and intuition. Because they feel so similar (fast, automatic, sometimes emotional) we tend to treat them the same, which can lead to poor decision-making in many situations. Instinct is evolutionary and biological, ... Read More The post The Gut Decision Matrix: When to Trust Instinct and Intuition appeared first on Ness Labs.

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What a founder can learn

Founder takeaway

Do not treat every fast, emotional “gut feeling” as equally trustworthy. Before making a consequential decision, pause to distinguish instinct from intuition and assess the signal rather than automatically obeying it.

Why it matters

Founders make frequent decisions under uncertainty. Separating superficially similar internal signals can reduce avoidable errors and improve judgment when time and resources are limited.

Relevant guides

Clarity & Focus

Put it to work

For your next high-stakes decision, ask: “Is this feeling instinct or intuition, and what observable evidence would confirm or challenge it?”

The Gut Decision Matrix: When to Trust Instinct and Intuition

What a founder can learn

Founder takeaway

Why it matters

Relevant guides

Put it to work

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