20 leaders: Data or gut instinct?

Leaders in business are increasingly grappling with the balance between data-driven decision-making and relying on their gut instinct, especially in rapidly evolving sectors like agentic AI. Peter Smart, a product and experience leader, argues that data and instinct are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary tools. He emphasizes using all available information, including data, team input, long-range objectives, and personal experience, to make informed choices, as no single metric guarantees certainty. Thomas Scott from Wrike highlights his company's commitment to a data-driven approach across all functions, yet acknowledges that data rarely provides definitive answers. Scott suggests setting clear timelines for decisions and gathering as much information as possible within those constraints, with gut instinct playing a crucial role in risk assessment. Lior Div of 7AI posits that in fast-changing markets, pattern recognition and experience are more valuable than dashboards. Div uses data to define problems but then relies on instinct to act swiftly, believing that quick iteration based on decisive action is key to staying ahead, as market opportunities can be fleeting.