In my last post, I mentioned that this year I’m leaning into my intuition as I decide what’s next for my family and career. I’ve done this before (most notably with our move across the country from Florida to Colorado) but that’s not the only time I’ve felt a pull toward a decision so strongly that there’s no question in my mind it’s the right path for me, no matter how terrifying it might seem.
I’m an engineer. I love data. I trust science, education, and training. But when I was pregnant, I found myself in a situation where data, logic, and expert advice weren’t enough. My doctors - professionals I had trusted implicitly for 33 years - insisted I be induced at 41 weeks. The data, however, said that first-time moms on average give birth at 41 weeks and 1 day. Both sources of guidance were valid. So, what does a 40-week-pregnant, hormonal, first-time mom do when faced with conflicting advice?
She trusts her intuition.
I made the decision to decline induction when the scheduled day arrived. It wasn’t easy. I received judgment from medical practitioners and others because intuition is often undervalued when pitted against educated opinions. But I could feel it. I knew my body was preparing for labor even though cervical checks “said otherwise”. And sure enough, on the very day I predicted, labor began. And when did I give birth? 41 weeks and 1 freaking day.
I am woman. Hear me roar.
Is feminine intuition a thing?
As a woman in a male-dominated field, I’ve often felt the need to minimize the fact that I’m female—despite it being entirely obvious. I’ve intentionally avoided stepping into roles traditionally assigned to women, like taking meeting notes, planning social events, or bringing baked goods to the office. These roles, while valuable, are often seen as domestic or administrative and not typically associated with career advancement.
But as I reflect, I wonder: is there something uniquely feminine about intuition? And what if, instead of shying away from it, we leaned into that femininity in our careers?
Let’s reframe intuition
Intuition isn’t exclusive to women or to mothers. But my experience with pregnancy helped me sharpen and trust my intuition in a way I hadn’t before. It’s no surprise that women often speak about intuition in the context of motherhood and unfortunately, motherhood is a realm many easily dismiss as emotional or irrational. And when we bring that same intuition into the workplace, it’s often seen as unscientific, illogical, or crunchy. But science tells us otherwise.123
Intuition is a powerful, subconscious blend of experience, pattern recognition, and emotional intelligence.
In our careers, intuition isn’t just valuable, it’s transformative. It enables us to make decisions that are not only informed by logic and data but also attuned to the human element. People who listen to their inner voice are often more adaptable, empathetic, and authentic. They are better able to navigate uncertainty and connect with their colleagues in meaningful ways.
For me, leaning into intuition has allowed me to carve out a professional style that is uniquely mine. It’s taught me that authenticity - being true to my instincts and experiences - is a strength, not a weakness. And it’s this authenticity that I believe can help women in STEM build the kind of professionalism that not only breaks stereotypes but redefines them.
Now, let’s embrace intuition
All of this sounds great, but how?
Follow the peace.
Years ago, my sister-in-law gave me this advice, and it’s been my guiding principle ever since. Even when a choice feels scary or uncertain, there’s often a quiet sense of peace that comes with knowing it’s the right one. Intuition doesn’t speak in grand gestures, or at least not for me. It’s more like a subtle feeling that lingers and won’t leave. Honoring that feeling is about trusting yourself completely, even when others don’t understand or agree.
When we moved to Colorado, I was absolutely terrified to make such a big location and professional change. But despite my fears, there was a quiet peace that told me it was the right decision. That same peace guided me through declining induction during my pregnancy. Both decisions were daunting, but they felt right at a deeper level and in hindsight, I have no regrets about following my peace.
Intuition has also shaped my professional style. For example, last semester I realized I had been too hard on some of my cadets in a group setting. My gut told me I’d crossed a line, so during the next class, I apologized to the entire group so that even those I hadn’t singled out could see that I recognized the way I’d spoken wasn’t acceptable. Some might see this as a weakness, but it actually strengthened our group dynamics and improved our productivity. By trusting my gut and addressing the issue directly with humility, I built mutual respect within the team which made us stronger overall.
Does this all still sound a bit too crunchy? Maybe. But here’s the thing: no decision is ever truly permanent. Sometimes your gut tells you to take a leap, even when everything else screams that you’ve lost your mind.
You can always change course.
During my pregnancy, I knew that if I felt I’d made the wrong call, I could show up at the hospital at any point and say, “It’s go time.” If the move to Colorado hadn’t worked out, I could have found my way back to Florida. Even with my cadets, if I’d decided an apology wasn’t the right move, I could have adjusted the conversation or chosen a different approach (or just taken the apology back entirely - though I’m sure that would’ve done wonders for team dynamics 😜).
Seriously though, knowing I can pivot gives me the freedom to go all in and trust my intuition fully.
Let’s go!
Intuition isn’t a replacement for logic or data - it’s a tool that works alongside them. It’s the culmination of our experiences, knowledge, and instincts. Leaning into it isn’t a sign of weakness or impulsivity - it’s a sign of strength and self-trust.
For women in STEM, intuition can feel at odds with the structures we’ve been taught to navigate. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to mold yourself to fit those structures. Your unique perspective, instincts, and experiences are just as valuable as your resume. By trusting your intuition and excelling in doing so, you’re breaking and (more importantly) redefining gender stereotypes.
Start small. The next time you’re faced with a decision, pause and quietly consider your options. Does one path feel lighter, calmer, or more aligned with who you are? Follow that peace. And if the idea of trusting your intuition still feels too risky or crunchy, remember that no decision is ever set in stone. Knowing you have the freedom to pivot can give you the confidence to trust your gut.
What would happen if you gave yourself permission to trust your instincts fully?
What growth is waiting for you should you just take the leap?
How hard would it really be to change course?
This year, let’s lean hard into intuition, not just in our most personal choices but also in our careers. Let’s all be exactly where we should be, and let’s build a more empathetic and authentic workforce of strong teams filled with mutual respect.
Please share your stories of how trusting your gut has shaped your path. Let’s inspire each other to embrace our intuition and build paths that are uniquely ours.
Intuitive thinkers and doers follow paths that resonate with their gut instincts instead of settling for conventional choices. I absolutely love this perspective! Kaitlin, you’re definitely onto something amazing! 💗