s

TRENDS, NETWORKS,
AND CRITICAL THINKING
IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Quarter 3
Module 3: Week 3
Strategic Analysis and
Intuitive Thinking
RODEL S. SARTAGODA
Compiler/ Contextualizer
 5. Neighbors tested positive of
Covid-19

Are you aware that these experiences/observations generate to Intuitive

Thinking and your thoughts, perceptions, and interpretations of the experiences
will initiate a rational and Strategic Analysis?
Now, let us learn more about it.

What is It?
WHAT IS INTUITIVE THINKING?
INTUITIVE THINKING is sensing or knowing without using rational process
such as reading facts and instructions. “Intuition” is something that is known or
understood without proof or evidence. Simply put, intuitive thinking is making
choices and decisions according to one’s hunch, gut feeling, inner voice, and inner
sense or instinct without knowing the reason why.
Intuition is not logical. It is not the result of a set of considered steps that
can be shared or explained, instead, it is not based on deep-seated knowledge
rather the process of intuition feels natural and almost instinctual. The intuition is
quick and usually beneficial, it is not always entirely accurate. The subconscious
brain attempts to recognize, process, and use patterns of thinking based on prior
experience and a best guess.
Paradoxically, intuition feels unknowable. After all, you cannot explain the
thinking behind a snap decision that appears out of nowhere. It just happens.
While intuition occurs in your day-to-day life, it is sometimes most apparent
in the decisions of experts. The specialist draws on years of experience, held in
unconscious frameworks, to make fast, high-quality decisions (Nalliah, 2016).
Examples:
1. Walk into a coffee shop, we recognize a cup as something we have seen
many times before. We also understand intuitively that it is likely to be
hot and easily spilled on an uneven surface or when not properly
handled.
2. We can use intuition in our daily life, not just in making big decisions but
small ones too. We can make everyday decisions like what to eat, where
to go in evening, whom to talk to, what to watch on TV, what to work on
etc.

WELL-KNOWN ADVOCATES OF INTUITION

1. Lao Tzu (ancient Chinese philosopher) – The power of intuitive

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 understanding will protect you from harm until the end of your days.
2. Albert Einstein (Theoretical physicist who is widely considered one of
the greatest physicists of all time). According to him, the only real
valuable thing is intuition. There is no logical way to the discovery of
these elemental laws.

3. Alexis Carrel (French surgeon, biologist, and eugenicist; Nobel Prize in

Physiology or Medicine)- All great men are gifted with intuition. They
know without reasoning or analysis what they need to know.
4. Henry Reed (British poet) – Intuition is the very force or activity of the
soul in its experience through whatever has been the experience of the
soul itself.
5. Ann Wilson Schaef (writer and lecturer) – Trusting our intuition often
saves us from disaster.
GOOD INTUITION results from long years of knowledge and experience
which enable you to comprehend on how people think, act, and react, perceive, and
interpret, and interact with one another.
Example: People who trust on their good intuition often save from any form
of disaster or misfortune because they are forward looking, sensitive, and
taking cautions all the time.
Manifestations that you are an Intuitive Thinker
1. More spontaneous, instinctive, and unplanned process of solving a
problem.
2. You are imaginative when situations are insufficient of facts.
3. Listening to inner voice.
4. Taking time to be alone and to reflect.
5. Listening to their bodies.
6. Observing everything.
7. Paying attention to their dreams.
8. Connecting deeply with others and staying in a positive mood.
WHAT IS STRATEGIC THINKING?
Strategic Analysis is the process of examining, using one’s rationality or
reason, the organization’s surroundings, and resources and how they relate with
each other to formulate a strategy to meet objectives and improve performance.
Such understanding
is drawn from facts, data, and instructions at hand.
Strategic thinking is also defined as the individual’s capacity for thinking
conceptually, imaginatively, systematically, and opportunistically regarding the
attainment of the success in the future.

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 According to (Greg Gittens), strategic thinking employs mental processes
that are conceptual, systematic, creative, and visual. Indeed, applies all the
cognitive processes in the orientation toward future success.
The conduct of strategic analysis involves identifying and evaluating
necessary data for formulating a strategy, description of the organization’s internal
and external environment, and identification and use of certain analytical tools or
methods. Basically, it involves reviewing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats found in both the organization’s internal and external environments.
Analytical thinking when applied in strategic analysis is brain-centered
and focused. Ergo, a person who performs strategic analysis is usually systematic
and analytical and takes time to arrive at decisions. The table below shows some
differences between strategic analysis and intuitive thinking.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTUITIVE THINKING AND STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
Element Strategic Analysis Intuitive Thinking
Logic Logical mind needed Logical mind not needed
Reason Starts from an idea or concept and Focuses on the idea or
moves on to what can be associated concept and its attributes
with it.
Center Brain-centered Heart-centered
Basis Hard facts, data, instructions Hunch, instinct, gut
feeling
Time Need time to finish in one or more Spontaneous, quick,
settings or sessions finished at one time
Tools SWOT Analysis, PEST Analysis, other Experiences
analytical tools
Planning Well-planned Unplanned

In intuitive thinking and strategic thinking, a person needs to connect with

the different social networks to have a strategic planning.
WHAT ARE SOCIAL NETWORKS?
Each person is engaged in a variety of networks associated with his or her
multiple roles and interests in the community. These networks can be among
others, political, economic, and sociocultural.
Political Networks are composed of relations with government officials,
student government, and community leaders, among others.

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 Economic Networks includes manufacturers, agents, and sellers of the
goods you consume such as those in stores, groceries, markets, and malls as well
as money lenders.
Sociocultural or Social Networks are those belonging to your dance
troupe, choir, reading club, band, arts club, or theater company. Kinship ties,
neighborhood associations, friendship clubs and veterans’ associations also belong
to the social network wherein people constantly engage in close communication
and interaction through visits, phone calls, text messages, and activities of
common interest.

Figure 1: Map of the Networks of Power Relations

Each of us has a connection. Together, these connections can be
intertwined, making up a larger social network of communities. Social networks
appear as cluster and support groups of people who share similar interests,
backgrounds, and real-life connections. They are avenues for meeting new friends,
reuniting with old and lost friends, exchanging gifts and favors, and developing
cooperation.

What’s More
The question is not whether rational reasoning or intuitive decision-making
is generally better. The question is rather how both approaches can be best
combined for best results and to avoid mistakes and prejudices.

Activity 3: COMPLETE ME
Instructions: Use your intuitive thinking by giving your reactions or opinions to

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Sutton, J. (2020). What is intuition and why is it important 5 Examples,
3-30-2021. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/intuition
Images:
Intuitive thinker. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/y4z7mt8c

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