Intuition is often dismissed as guesswork or an unscientific gut feeling, yet it represents a sophisticated form of subconscious intelligence rooted in millions of years of evolution. Far from being a random hunch, intuition allows us to draw on accumulated experience and pattern recognition to make decisions rapidly and effectively. When intuition is combined with data, it forms a powerful tool for decision-making… a balance advocated by researchers like Gerd Gigerenzer of the Max Planck Institute.
For people with ADHD, intuition can take on an amplified role. The unique way ADHD brains process information, through a wider breadth of association, can make them especially adept at recognising patterns, spotting risks, and predicting outcomes. This intuitive capability is a strength that deserves greater recognition, particularly in workplace environments, where innovative problem-solving and risk assessment are valuable.
The Science of Intuition
Intuition is not magic. It is the result of the brain’s ability to synthesise vast amounts of information from past experiences, often without conscious awareness. Gerd Gigerenzer (2007) argues that intuition is a fast and frugal form of reasoning, enabling humans to make decisions in complex, uncertain situations, with levels of accuracy that are dependent on the information absorbed and logical processing of the person. Unlike deliberative reasoning, which relies heavily on data and explicit analysis, intuition taps into the brain’s subconscious ability to detect patterns and anomalies.
Studies have shown that individuals who rely on intuition in conjunction with data often outperform those who rely on data alone. For example:
- Doctors and Diagnoses: Research by Croskerry (2009) demonstrates that experienced doctors often use intuition as a diagnostic tool. While data and tests are critical, their intuitive ability to recognise subtle patterns in symptoms often leads to faster, more accurate diagnoses.
- Financial Traders: A study by Handel et al. (2018) found that successful traders frequently credit their intuition for spotting market shifts. Their gut instincts, honed by experience, help them navigate uncertainty and capitalise on opportunities.
Intuition and ADHD
The ADHD brain’s unique way of processing information makes it particularly suited to intuitive reasoning. Dr. Heiner Lachenmeier’s theory about ADHD and the lack of automatic cognitive filters suggests that individuals with ADHD process a wider breadth of association with information, allowing them to see connections and patterns that others might miss. This broader associative network can enhance intuition by providing a richer base of subconscious information to draw upon.
For example, individuals with ADHD often excel at:
- Spotting False Economies: They intuitively recognise when short-term cost-cutting measures might lead to long-term inefficiencies or risks.
- Identifying Risks: Their ability to think outside the box often allows them to predict potential pitfalls in projects, marketing strategies, or operational changes.
- Adapting Quickly: ADHD brains are primed for novelty and change, making them adept at intuitive decision-making in dynamic or high-pressure environments.
(Ly, 2024; Hallowell & Ratey, 2005; Moore, et al., 2021; Sedgwick et al., 2019)
Intuition in the Workplace
The role of intuition in decision-making is often undervalued in structured environments like the workplace. Yet, individuals with ADHD frequently demonstrate a knack for identifying problems before they arise, particularly in areas requiring creative foresight or risk assessment. Their ability to think holistically and predict unintended consequences makes their input invaluable.
However, this intuitive strength is often dismissed as anecdotal or overly emotional, especially in workplaces that prioritise data-driven approaches. A shift in perspective is needed to recognise that intuition, particularly when backed by industry or subject experience, can complement data to create a more balanced decision-making process.
The Best of Both Worlds: Intuition and Data
Many people with ADHD often feel constrained by rigid, data-only environments, which itself has plenty of flaws given the inabilities of data when it comes to nuance and the many unknown missing variables on most analyses (FTC, 2024).
While intuition is a powerful tool, it is not infallible. Combining intuition with data creates a balanced approach, allowing intuitive insights to guide exploration and data to confirm or refine decisions. Gigerenzer (2007) advocates this synergy, noting that while data provides objectivity, intuition adds depth and human experience.
Intuition is an underrated form of subconscious intelligence that has guided human survival and success for millennia. For ADHD people, their unique cognitive processes amplify their intuitive abilities, enabling them to see risks, patterns, and opportunities that others might overlook. By recognising and valuing these intuitive strengths, particularly in the workplace, we can create environments where neurodivergent perspectives are not just included but celebrated as essential to innovation and progress.
References
- Croskerry, P. (2009). A universal model of diagnostic reasoning. Academic Medicine, 84(8), 1022–1028.
- Gigerenzer, G. (2007). Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious. Viking.
- Handel, M. J., Rebonato, R., & Zarella, E. (2018). The role of intuition in financial decision-making: Evidence from market participants. Journal of Behavioral Finance, 19(4), 306–315.
- Lachenmeier, H. (2022). ADHD and Success at Work: The Unique Strengths of Neurodivergence in Professional Environments. Springer.
- Ly, C. (2024), ADHD may have evolved to help foragers know when to cut their losses, https://www.newscientist.com/article/2418114-adhd-may-have-evolved-to-help-foragers-know-when-to-cut-their-losses/
- Hallowell, E. M., & Ratey, J. J. (2005). Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder. New York: Ballantine Books.
- Moore, C. B., McIntyre, N. H., & Lanivich, S. E. (2021). ADHD-Related Neurodiversity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(1), 64-91. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258719890986
- Sedgwick, J.A., Merwood, A. & Asherson, P. The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 11, 241–253 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-018-0277-6
- FTC (2024), The Trap of Over-Reliance on Data: Why Numbers Can’t Always Save Your Business, https://medium.com/@TFC2/the-trap-of-over-reliance-on-data-why-numbers-cant-always-save-your-business-25ff0e985ae4#:~:text=The%20reality%20is%20that%20data,a%20false%20sense%20of%20security.