Is Intuition Required for Innovation‪?‬ Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney - A Show About Ideas Creativity And Innovation

Introduction to Intuitive Thinking

Intuitive thinking sometimes referred to as ‘thinking on autopilot,' is based on prior experience and mental shortcuts. It involves using heuristics and pattern recognition to make decisions quickly and efficiently. Intuitive thinking is essential because it allows us to make decisions without pausing for conscious analysis or deliberation. This helps us react swiftly when we don't have enough information or time – which is common in innovation.



One can argue that intuitive thinking is essential to everyday life. It allows us to save energy and make decisions more quickly than if we were attempting to analyze every single detail of a situation. It also allows us to see/intuit things that are not obvious such as solutions to problems others do not see.

Furthermore, intuition often helps us make better decisions than conscious thought processes alone. Studies show that we can trust our instincts in specific scenarios, such as predicting the outcome of sporting events or guessing the answer to a problem before checking the answer key.

Intuitive thinking has drawbacks, however, as it relies upon past experiences, which may not always lead us in the right direction. Personal biases and assumptions may influence and cloud our judgment. As such, we must take time out from relying on intuition periodically and instead use conscious thought processes more deliberately when making decisions.

Example of Intuitive Thinking

An example of a person using intuitive thinking to innovate can be seen in the story of Henry Ford and his development of the Model T automobile. Ford had a vision of making an affordable car that could be used by families, and he knew that he needed an innovative solution.

He began experimenting with different designs and materials until he eventually settled on mass-producing vehicles. However, it was not just the technical specifications that made this decision successful; Ford also relied on his intuition to ensure that what he was trying to achieve would be successful. He believed that people were looking for something new, reliable, and affordable, and he took a chance to create his product line – one that would revolutionize transportation as we know it today.

Ford trusted his gut instinct and went against industrial trends at the time, believing in himself and his vision despite the risks involved. His intuition guided him toward making the right decisions, such as choosing assembly lines over hand-building cars or inventing new tools like wheel molds instead of relying solely on manual labor. Ultimately, these decisions ushered in a new era for car manufacturing – one where efficient production could result in cost savings for consumers without sacrificing quality or reliability.

By trusting his intuition, Henry Ford created an innovative solution to a problem that had existed for years: how to make transportation more accessible and affordable without compromising quality or reliability. It was only after years of trial-and-error experimentation coupled with intuitive thinking that Ford succeeded with his Model T automobile design – leading to one of the greatest inventions of all time.

History of Intuition

Intuitive thinking has been a part of human decision-making for centuries. It is the ability to make decisions based on instinct, insight, or gut feeling rather than relying solely on conscious thought processes, facts, and figures. While intuitive thinking has long been viewed as an innate trait that some people possess while others do not, recent research suggests otherwise; anyone can cultivate intuition through practice and experience.

The concept of intuitive thinking dates back to ancient Greece wh...