Ness Labs · Anne-Laure Le Cunff
articleinsightThe Gut Decision Matrix: When to Trust Instinct and Intuition
11 March 2026Clarity & Focus
Source excerpt
About Ness LabsWe 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.
This is a limited feed-provided excerpt, not the full original work.
Apollo layer
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
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?”
Private notes