You’ve probably been told that trusting your gut is important. But if you think that your intuition is something you’re born with, think again: It’s a muscle you can train and strengthen, according to Skims co-founder and CEO Jens Grede.
Developing a strong intuition is the result of putting yourself in uncomfortable positions and being inquisitive about what’s going on around you, Grede said on his wife Emma’s “Aspire” podcast, in an episode that published on Tuesday. Alongside Kim Kardashian, both Gredes are co-founders of Skims, which was most recently valued at $4 billion after a July 2023 fundraising round.
“You can feed [intuition] by being a curious person,” said Grede. “Your gut is really your collective memory, your collective experience and learnings … Every book you read, every article, every conversation, every wrong or right decision you’ve made, that becomes your gut.”
For people who are risk-averse or hesitant to make decisions, trusting your intuition can feel particularly unnatural. You may resort to saying things like, “This is the way I am. I overthink. I procrastinate.’ And you use that as an excuse for not getting things done,” Grede said.
DON’T MISS: The ultimate guide to starting a business—everything you need to know to be your own boss
To strengthen his own intuition, Grede spends every morning reading newspapers for an hour, he said. He regularly listens to podcasts hosted by people he disagrees with, and constantly asks questions to seek out other people’s perspectives, he said.
“I’m not a fast runner,” said Grede. “But if I committed myself to it, maybe I could run a little bit faster … You can develop that muscle and become a faster decision maker. You can become a bigger risk taker. You can be more in tune with what your gut is telling you.”
The ability to quickly make high-quality decisions is an essential skill for all professionals: It shows confidence, fortitude and one’s capacity to get things done, author and leadership expert Scott Mautz wrote for CNBC Make It on March 22.
Strong intuition could become even more important in the age of artificial intelligence. AI “is going to change literally every job,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told The Wall Street Journal in an interview that published on Sept. 26, adding that human skills like critical thinking, decision and intuitiveness may set the best employees apart.
So learn to trust your instincts, Grede said, especially in situations where you might regret ignoring that voice in your head: “[When] you go against that gut feeling, it always turns out terribly.”
Want to earn more and grow your money? Save 30% with this earnings-boosting bundle of our top courses.
Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life, and request to join our exclusive community on LinkedIn to connect with experts and peers.
