The document discusses the importance of intuition in human resources (HR), emphasizing that while data and analytics are valuable, intuition allows HR professionals to make sense of verbal and nonverbal communication. It outlines steps to develop intuition and highlights its role in making better decisions and fostering healthy conversations in the workplace. Ultimately, integrating both intuition and analytical tools can enhance decision-making and improve HR processes.

1. The Role Of Intuition In HR
No matter how carefully you prepare for a conversation, you sometimes get the feeling that it
isn’t going to work out. Time passes, and your premonition proves correct, with either party
rejecting the outcome. After the conversations end, you ask yourself, ‘What went wrong?’
The answer lies in the process of intuition, a skill that is vital to HR professionals. We are
increasingly being taught to rely upon numbers and data, but there is still an awareness that
something does not instinctively seem right. While we shouldn’t dismiss the power of logical and
rational thought, ‘instinct’ or intuition, allows us to subconsciously know something without
analysis or conscious reasoning. By balancing both our conscious and subconscious
knowledge, HR professionals can make use of every tool available to us.
Making Sense of Intuition
During a conversation, which can essentially be verbal and nonverbal, everything
communicated reveals something about the person whether it is words, facial expressions or
body language. While we understand this on an instinctual level, research has revealed that
people share insights into their true feelings through non-verbal communication. When there is a
lack of congruence between verbal and nonverbal communication, our senses can interpret
these unconscious signals. By relying on our intuition, we can make sense of a massive amount
of information and work through our feelings.
Fine tuning intuition lets us know when to connect with others on a personal level and when our
emotions are guiding things in the right direction.
Developing your intuition
There are various steps to developing your intuition – some of them are: opening, noticing,
pretending, trusting, reporting, interpreting and integrating. We can develop our intuition by
practicing certain exercises daily for us to make better decisions and gain a better control our
lives. For the best results, maintain a balance while discovering intuition. Eat, sleep, meditate
and exercise.
With intuition, the answers already lie within ourselves so access our intuition to know the things
that really matter to life. The first step is to become aware about questions we ask ourselves,
whether subconsciously or consciously.
Honing Intuition
Our intuition comes into focus when we can ignore distractions and focus our attention. Make a
conscious effort to speak our thought on a subject before other thoughts can interfere. As we
start to awaken our mind to our intuition, observe as it shifts from a logical to intuitive state.
Notice the changes that happen to our body and compare your intuitive impressions with reality.
It is possible to generate intuitive information, but the skill lies in interpreting the information in a
useful manner. Neither intuition nor logic should be the sole guide to our life, but we can use it
to hone our decision-making capabilities. Allow impressions to create a story and become more
accurate with practice. With experience, we will be able to ask the right questions and interpret
and integrate our intuitive responses. Use it to guide our decisions and more effectively manage
our daily life.

2. Intuition in HR
Much of the HR process relies upon the use of resources such as documentation or feedback.
With an aim to make the process as open and transparent as possible, relying solely on planned
activities can lead to unwanted risks or inaccurate judgements. The challenge lies in taking a
call that goes counter to the data provided, a challenge that is compounded by there not being
any set patterns for such situations.
A big part of HR is focusing on people, their nature and reactions. Trusting our intuition can lead
to healthy conversations during discussion. A good way to do this is by monitoring our own
responses when we feel or sense tension or any other emotion in ourselves, others or in the
workplace.
Using Intuition at Work
As an HR professional, trusting our 'gut-feeling' can help us in making the right decision about
whether to trust someone or steer clear of a bad decision. But how do we teach others how to
listen to gut feelings?
Some people might possess greater emotional intelligence, but it is possible to become more
aware of people and things over time. Focus on important moments and situations such as first
impressions where our brain is taking in lots of new information. Consider the thoughts going
through our head and try to predict the thoughts and responses of others. Our intuition plays a
big role in directing communication so if we know a certain change will affect employees, ask
others to be on the lookout as well. Knowing what to look for will help prepare and act upon
responses much more efficiently.
Intuition and Analytics
As HR analytics adoption becomes more widespread, many believe that intuition is no longer
required in an increasingly data-driven HR world. However, analytics and intuition are both tools
to allow to make better decisions. Stay objective and combine the best of all the tools on hand
to come to the most appropriate solution.
Practicing Intuition
Intuition makes it easier for us to manage employees and their actions. We might find ourselves
getting caught up in corporate jargon but speaking truthfully and professionally can inspire trust
and honesty from the other person as well. There should be a healthy buying and selling aspect
from both employer and employee perspective. It might not be the easiest thing to hear an
honest response but understand the trust implied in an honest opinion and acknowledge it (take
action if possible) instead of trying to defend a stance.
When our brain and our heart is out of sync, it creates negative or chaotic signals. The Institute
of HeartMath has developed a technique called The Quick Coherence® Technique to bring
yourself back in sync. By practicing it, you can overcome negative emotions and perform at best
while Feeling calm, confident and energized.
Recognizing the humanity of individuals through intuition, we can find the most efficient
solutions and contextual HR processes. Even as a leader, practicing intuition grows ever more
critical to accurately reading the signs and managing the aspirations of employees young and
old. Stay in tune with the work environment and values that matter to the organization and if
intuition aligns with them, do not hesitate to explore it!!