How to Strengthen Your Decision-Making Through Intuition

In this episode of The Influential Nonprofit, I dive deep into what it really means to be a confident decision-maker—not just on paper, but in practice, from the inside out. Whether you're a communications coordinator, a development director, or the CEO, one thing’s for sure: you're making decisions every day. The question is, are you trusting yourself in those decisions? Or are you outsourcing your power?

Let’s talk about how to grow your inner confidence and make intuitive decisions you can stand behind—no matter what room you're in or what the stakes are.

Why We Struggle with Decision-Making

Before we talk about how to strengthen your decision-making, we need to unpack why it feels so hard:

  • Fear of failure – You stay quiet because saying the wrong thing could cost you something big.

  • Craving external validation – You only trust your decisions if others agree with them.

  • Perfectionism – You believe that getting it wrong is unacceptable, so you say nothing.

  • Overthinking and fatigue – You’re simply tired from making so many choices.

  • Disconnection from your own wisdom – You’ve been taught to ignore your intuition in favor of logic and data.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We’ve all been taught to wait for proof, to ask for permission, to seek consensus. But the truth is: powerful leaders don’t need proof before they speak. They trust the wisdom they already carry.

Intuition Is a Superpower (Yes, Yours)

Most people don’t realize how powerful their intuition is—because they’ve been trained to ignore it.

Here’s how I define the three sources of information we draw from:

  • Instinct: Rooted in fear, fast, primal (fight or flight)

  • Intellect: Rooted in reason, slow, data-driven

  • Intuition: Rooted in wisdom, fast and quiet, but calm and clear

Your intuition isn’t magic. It’s the result of your brain cataloging years of experiences and delivering clear, calm insight in the moments you need it most.

When I coach clients, I often say, “Your intuition is a divine download.” That knowing feeling? That quiet voice? That sudden clarity? That’s not a fluke. That’s your leadership speaking.

And like any muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

A Personal Story: Speaking Truth to Power

Years ago, I was in a high-stakes meeting with a large foundation. We were reviewing a newsletter they were sending to donors. I instantly saw the problem: it was all about staff and internal happenings, not the donors or the outcomes they cared about.

My instinct was to stay quiet, to smooth things over, to avoid conflict. But this time, I listened to my intuition. I asked questions that opened the door to a new perspective. And they got it. They saw what I saw. That meeting led directly to us getting the business.

Why? Because I spoke from my values. Not from fear. Not from needing to be right. But from alignment.

How to Build Confident, Intuitive Decision-Making

Let’s break down how you can strengthen this skill in your own leadership:

  1. Release the Outcome
    You can’t control how others will react. You can only control your clarity. Say what you believe and let the chips fall. When you release attachment, you release fear.

  2. Clarify Your Values
    When you know what matters to you and your organization, you know what to say yes or no to. Values are the compass that guide intuitive leadership.

  3. Acknowledge Past Wins
    You’ve made bold decisions before. Reflect on those. Let them remind you that your gut has served you well before—and will again.

  4. Separate Instinct, Intellect, and Intuition
    Learn to feel the difference. Instinct is fast and fearful. Intellect is thoughtful but slow. Intuition is clear and confident. The more you observe, the easier it gets.

  5. Allow Yourself to Pivot
    Most decisions are not final. Don’t let perfectionism paralyze you. You can always revise, refine, and redirect. Let yourself move.

  6. Create a Confidence Ritual
    Whether it’s a deep breath, a grounding meditation, or a personal mantra, find your way to drop into your truth before big decisions. Energy precedes outcome.

Leading with Inner Authority

So much of what we call “leadership” is really about permission. But confident leadership isn’t about getting permission—it’s about standing in your sovereignty.

You don’t need to be louder. You need to be clearer. And that clarity comes from within.

And here’s the real gift: when you trust yourself, others trust you more too.

Ready to Trust Your Intuition?

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start leading with clarity, I’d love to support you.

👉 Book an Influence Activator Call with me and let’s tap into your intuition, refine your leadership voice, and turn decision-making into your greatest strength.

Maryanne Dersch