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Insurance Executive:
True, and don’t depend on a complete feeling, either, unless you
don’t have time to evaluate further.
I learned in Vegas to not trust a feeling—Oooo, I got a good feeling
about this slot machine—because it rarely pans out. In fact, Vegas is
the best place in the world to realize how “I got a feeling…” is
meaningless. Of course, ever so often that based-on-a-feeling
inserted dollar pays back ten and your trust is reinforced so you’re
back in the vicious cycle.
That’s the problem, and Vegas knows it. When you lose a buck in
ten machines that you absolutely “knew” were going to pay, but all
you got on each pull was an apple, a lemon, and a peach, you
complain you got ripped off because the machines were calibrated
too tightly (whatever that means), and Vegas isn’t like it used to be.
But when the machine shows three apples, you shout, “Oh yeah, I
knew this one was a winner. How’d I know? I got a feeling, that’s
how.”
Listen to your feelings, even the partial ones, but don’t solely depend
on them. The word “depend” means to “lean on,” “count on,” and
“bank on.” “Count on” can be a risky decision when it comes to
business dealings, social dealings, and matters of personal safety.
Especially in police work.
My husband was in law enforcement for 29 years where there are
two rules every officer quickly learns. Rule 1: Everyone lies. Rule 2:
See Rule 1. But even veterans get fooled.
When he had about 25 years on the police department, my husband
interviewed a Southeast Asia man that another officer felt had gang
ties. My husband instantly liked the young man and sympathized
with his incredible story of escaping communist Vietnam, and
surviving the high seas in a leaky and overloaded boat. “He was a
gentle soul,” my husband said, “and we chatted for a long while.
When we parted, I wished him luck and we shook hands. Then came
the next day when I learned the man didn’t come to the US via a
leaky boat but had flown here. He lived in great splendor in Los
Angles where he was the leader of one of the most notorious and
deadly street gangs in California. My ‘I got a feeling’ failed me even
as a veteran officer.”
For over 30 years in the insurance business I have had countless
people lie to me to get benefits. Dealing with clients day in and day
out, I long ago developed a feeling as to whether a worker is
legitimate or pulling a con. Bruce Lee said there is no sixth sense but
rather a sharpening of the five. To be successful in my business, the
five senses must be ultra-sharp indeed. So I approach every new
case with all of them turned up high, and listen to my initial feelings
about the circumstances in general and the individuals involved. But
can I always depend on my instincts, no matter how experienced
they are? No.
Both workers and employers can be dishonest, as well as doctors
and lawyers. If, say, my feelings are suspicious about what I’m
hearing, I will continue to investigate the situation, clarify certain
pieces of fuzzy information and discrepancies in the stories, and
compare the information each person tells me. More often than not
while at first the information felt suspicious, further investigation
disclosed all the information was accurate, and I conclude the
information was valid after all. If I had reacted to and acted out on
my initial feelings, partial as they were, I would have set a bad tone,
embarrassed myself, angered the people involved, and made my
company look bad.
Are there times when it might be advisable to listen to a partial
feeling if it only affects me? Sure. Say I need to stop at a 7-11. As I
pull onto the lot, I spot three young men loitering near the door
dressed in clothes typical of street toughs. I see them check out a
customer walking in and then look my way as I guide my car toward
a parking space. My partial feelings are conflicted. While they could
simply be young men dressed to display a particular style, my sense
is they are up to no good. Maybe they will say something to me or
maybe they will block my path. Maybe they are about to rob the
store. Maybe, maybe, maybe…
My partial feeling, the bad vibes I’m getting, are winning out. I don’t
have to go to this store; there are others nearby. So I don’t pull into
the slot and instead head out the other end of the lot. When there
are other options, I’ll listen to my partial feelings and act accordingly.
As is the case so often, there are no absolutes when it comes to
letting your feelings guide you. Listen to them, partial or complete,
but don’t solely depend on them. Consider your feelings as part of
the input you used to guide your path. However, when it’s a situation
such as the 7-11 scenario, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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