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    WebinarResources 2007 60 min

    From Tao to Dow

    Based on his 25 years of experience in designing and implementing leadership development solutions, as well as his extensive knowledge of the latest research and thought leadership about learning, Steve will share his insights into how to enhance leaders’ ability to learn from experience. He will challenge participants’ thinking about how leaders learn from experience, and stimulate them to take steps to improve their own ability, and their organization’s ability, to learn from experience. Formal methods of business analysis and decision making are heavily analytical in nature, while approaches based on personal intuition & creativity are often ignored. Yet, research indicates that employees with dominant analytical side more likely end up in staff positions, while intuitive & creative thinkers generally climb to managerial and executive roles. Not only intuition matters, it may be one of the key ingredients for success. The I Ching, “Book of Change”, is considered the oldest of the Chinese classics and throughout history has been referred to as a book of fundamental principles and wisdom. The book was consulted regarding specific questions and used as a guide to life’s turning points. The I Ching consists of 64 chapters, which serve as blueprints for key life events and their interdependencies. The consultations with the I Ching engage the intuitive mind and allow one to gain insights, which may not have been possible via the traditional analytical methods.

    Presenter

    MG

    Misha Goussev

    •Hear proven research findings on how leaders learn from experience •Learn seven practical strategies that individuals can use to significantly increase their ability to learn from experience •Identify how to implement the seven strategies to enhance their own development as leaders, and to improve leader development practices in their organization

    Key Takeaways

    • 1.Research suggests intuitive and creative thinkers are more likely to reach managerial and executive positions.
    • 2.A balance of analytical and intuitive thinking is essential for comprehensive and effective decision-making.
    • 3.Formal business analysis methods are heavily analytical and often ignore the value of personal intuition and creativity.
    • 4.Ancient wisdom, such as the I Ching, can be used as a tool to engage the intuitive mind and gain new insights.
    • 5.In complex and ambiguous situations, data alone may be insufficient, making well-honed intuition a strategic advantage.
    • 6.Leaders can foster intuition by creating space for reflective practices and valuing creative problem-solving alongside analytical rigor.

    The Imbalance in Modern Business Decision-Making

    In the contemporary business world, formal methods of analysis and decision-making are predominantly analytical. This focus on data-driven approaches, while valuable, often leads to the neglect of personal intuition and creativity. This session, led by Misha Goussev, highlights the limitations of purely analytical methods, particularly in complex situations where data alone may not provide a complete picture.

    Intuition as a Key Leadership Differentiator

    While analytical skills are crucial, research indicates a compelling trend: employees who are intuitive and creative thinkers are more likely to ascend to managerial and executive roles, whereas their more analytical counterparts often remain in staff positions. In today's rapidly evolving and ambiguous global landscape, the ability to synthesize information, perceive underlying patterns, and make informed choices relies heavily on well-honed intuition. This makes the cultivation of intuitive thinking a strategic imperative for successful leaders and organizations.

    Cultivating Intuitive Leadership

    Leaders can move beyond dismissing intuition as a mere 'gut feeling' and instead treat it as a skill to be developed. This involves consciously acknowledging its role in day-to-day decisions and creating a culture that values holistic problem-solving.

    A Framework from Ancient Wisdom

    The I Ching, or "Book of Change," is an ancient Chinese classic that serves as a blueprint for understanding key life events and their interdependencies. Rather than a tool for divination, it is presented as a guide for engaging the intuitive mind. By consulting the I Ching on specific questions, leaders can unlock insights that may not be accessible through traditional analytical processes, offering alternative perspectives on complex challenges.

    Practical Application for Leaders

    To apply these concepts, leaders can:

    • Create space for reflection: Move beyond purely data-driven analysis to allow for deeper, intuitive insights to surface.
    • Encourage diverse thinking: Foster an environment where teams are encouraged to explore creative problem-solving alongside analytical rigor.
    • Value both approaches: By integrating both rational and intuitive thought processes, leaders can build a more resilient and effective decision-making framework for their entire organization.

    This session, led by Misha Goussev, explores the often-overlooked power of intuition in business leadership, contrasting it with traditional analytical methods. It delves into how integrating intuitive insights, potentially even drawing on ancient wisdom like the I Ching, can be a significant driver for executive success and effective decision-making.

    What you'll learn

    • The balance between analysis and intuition: Understand why a blend of both is crucial for comprehensive decision-making.
    • Intuition's impact on career progression: Discover research suggesting intuitive and creative thinkers often ascend to managerial and executive roles.
    • Limitations of purely analytical approaches: Recognize situations where formal analytical methods fall short without intuitive insights.
    • Ancient wisdom for modern leadership: Explore how resources like the I Ching can foster intuitive thinking and offer alternative perspectives for complex situations.

    Who this webinar is for

    • Leaders and aspiring executives seeking to enhance their decision-making capabilities.
    • Talent management professionals interested in identifying and nurturing intuitive leadership qualities.
    • Business strategists looking to integrate diverse thought processes into strategic planning.
    • Anyone interested in personal and organizational development who wants to explore non-traditional approaches to problem-solving.

    Why it matters now

    In a rapidly evolving global landscape, leaders face increasingly complex and ambiguous challenges where data alone may not provide complete answers. The ability to quickly synthesize information, perceive underlying patterns, and make informed decisions often relies heavily on well-honed intuition. This session highlights that fostering intuitive thinking is not just a soft skill but a strategic imperative that can differentiate successful leaders and organizations in an era of constant change and uncertainty.

    How leaders can apply this

    Leaders can begin by consciously acknowledging the role of intuition in their daily decisions, rather than dismissing it as merely a 'gut feeling.' They can create space for reflective practices that allow for deeper insights, moving beyond purely data-driven analysis. Furthermore, leaders can encourage their teams to explore diverse perspectives and value creative problem-solving alongside analytical rigor. By integrating approaches that foster both rational and intuitive thought, such as Misha Goussev describes, leaders can cultivate a more holistic and effective decision-making framework within their organizations.

    About this session

    Key takeaways

    Watching this webinar gives you grounded, practical perspective on Talent Management. Expect ideas you can use in leadership conversations, not abstract theory, drawn from Misha Goussev's direct experience.

    Who this is for

    CHROs, HR business partners, talent leaders, executive coaches, organizational development practitioners, and senior leaders who are responsible for resources inside their organization.

    Why it matters now

    Workforce expectations, hybrid work patterns, and AI-driven change keep raising the bar on culture and leadership. Sessions like this help leaders make smarter, more evidence-informed decisions about Talent Management.

    How to apply it

    Use the ideas here to challenge a current assumption on your team, design a single concrete experiment in the next 30 days, and bring one finding back to your leadership group for discussion.

    Frequently asked questions

    Best Practice Institute

    Best Practice Institute is the research organization behind Most Loved Workplace® certification, the SPARK Model, the Love of Workplace Index™ (LOWI™), and The Workplace Report.

    The Workplace Report

    The Workplace Report is BPI's original workplace culture research and editorial briefing series for CEOs, CHROs, people leaders, talent leaders, and employer-brand teams. It turns BPI's 25 years of research, Most Loved Workplace® certification data, SPARK findings, and current workforce signals into practical analysis leaders can use.

    The report format includes executive summaries, research-backed articles, company examples, methodology notes, and practical implications for retention, hiring, culture, leadership, and employee experience. New research and analysis is published on an ongoing editorial cadence at /workplace-report.