cover image INTUITION AT WORK: Why Developing Your Gut Instincts Will Make You Better at What You Do

INTUITION AT WORK: Why Developing Your Gut Instincts Will Make You Better at What You Do

Gary Klein, . . Doubleday/Currency, $26 (336pp) ISBN 978-0-385-50288-7

According to Klein (Sources of Power), the key to success at work is acting on one's intuition and making quick, savvy decisions based on experience and, sometimes, just a strong gut feeling. Based on his research into corporations, the Marine Corps and teams of firefighters, the author has devised an "Intuition Skills Training" program of repeatedly practicing a series of exercises where situations are analyzed for anticipated problems and possible outcomes. A significant part of learning how to trust your instincts is evaluating information and its quality related to a certain project: is it reliable, accurate, complete or confusing? Klein's approach focuses on teamwork; for example, he discusses his work with the navy, where he helped people become "on-the-job" coaches and carry out routines at sea. While Klein's example-based style is appealing to anyone—the firefighter angle alone could attract readers—it will be most appreciated by training professionals. The book is not as approachable as Daniel Goleman's Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence, and readers looking for quick fixes may find it slightly intimidating. Agent, Katinka Matson. (On sale Dec. 24)