Integrated Response: Head, Heart, Gut

When we make decisions or respond to situations, some of us are gut people. We trust our gut and act on our gut instincts.Others of us trust our analytical abilities. We like to figure things out first, weigh the pros and cons, optimize decisions, assess ...There are others who trust their heart. How do I feel about "x"? Do I like it/not like it? How will it affect me?Many of us use some combination.Where this all gets tricky is that especially under pressure, each of us has a default mode. We end up over-relying upon one of our centers of intelligence (head, heart, gut) and ignoring the others.Default Mode: Over-reliance on Gut IntelligenceThe gut center without the influence of the others, is impulsive. It reacts to stimuli. It is action oriented. In a situation where one's personal safety is threatened or during emergencies, this is a good thing. Often, there is no time to weigh pros and cons, wonder about feelings, etc.To ignore empathy and the impact of decisions on self and others is unwise. To dismiss the importance of planning and preparing, looking out for potential problems, seeking innovative solutions and then to act without peripheral and forward vision, yields less than an optimal decision.Default Mode: Over-reliance on Head IntelligenceOver-relying upon the head center yields too much planning and preparing, too much focusing on what could go wrong, too much envisioning and innovative thinking ... without action. The head center spins; spins ideas, plans, proposals, and can't decide which way to go. Or tries to do it all. Which ideas should be implemented? Where to focus attention and energy?If just the head is used there is little concern for others. The head is disconnected from passion and purpose. You can end up with a well thought-out decision, contingencies accounted for, and move closer to your vision, but it may lack any heart and meaning for you and others. People may experience head behavior as cold, impersonal and calculating.Default Mode: Over-reliance on Heart IntelligenceThis type of decision-making often manifests as concern about the impact on others. The focus is on the individual, on authentic expression, passion, and self-image. Often there's over attention on how one will be seen by others, or whether one is in the right mood.Those who over-rely on heart intelligence can appear as though they've lost sight of the business and are overly self-focused, self-involved or too involved in the lives of others. It is likely they'll be stuck wanting, waiting, dreaming, longing, and hoping.What's the alternative? A better decision will result if all centers of intelligence have a seat at the table. An integrated response will serve you and others. With an integrated response your ability to bring others along with you is far greater.How does this work? Who's taking the lead: head, heart or gut? Notice where you place your emphasis. Notice if you act on impulse, whether you try to figure things out or whether you let your feelings, moods, and self-image guide you. First notice.Once you start to become aware of your most trusted center of intelligence and how that informs your choices, decisions and day-to-day interactions, you can begin to invite the other centers into the conversation.Questions you could ask:What if I had a little more compassion or empathy (for myself and others)? How will this affect others?What if I were just a little more objective? What if I took the longer view? What can I see in my peripheral vision, in front of me, pot holes in the road, and do I have an alternate route?What if I took some action now? What would I do first? What are my instincts telling me? What's keeping me from acting on my instincts?Let me know what you think, how you feel and what your instincts tell you!