Starting a business or heading into the entrepreneurial world can feel like an adrenaline rush. I remember when I launched my first venture. You’re all-in, trusting your instincts, navigating decisions that feel massive but, at the moment, don’t always get the time they deserve. If you’ve been there, you probably relate to that thrill but also the mistakes that come with it.
I had the opportunity to chat with Mary Drumond, Head of Marketing at Neighborly Software, and we got into a real conversation about how much you can trust your gut when you’re running a business. Mary’s been through it, and she had a lot to say about when instinct works and when it can actually lead you astray.
Here’s what I learned from our conversation and how you can apply it to your own journey.
Gut Instinct is Great, But It’s Not the Whole Story
We all love to talk about trusting our gut, and for good reason. There’s a certain thrill to making a snap decision and having it turn out to be the right one. Mary’s journey is full of moments where her gut feelings work in her favor. But, as she shared with me, relying solely on that instinct can sometimes get you in trouble.
“Instinct is really just bias,” she said during our talk. “We think it’s something deep and wise, but a lot of times, it’s just our brain taking shortcuts based on past experiences.”
For Mary, this realization came when she had to re-evaluate her company’s approach to marketing. She had always trusted her gut to steer her, but one day, her VP of Sales pointed out that their email marketing wasn’t hitting the mark. Rather than getting defensive, she took a step back and saw that maybe her instinct wasn’t right this time.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Trusting your gut can be helpful, but don’t let it make all your decisions. Pause and check your thinking. That short pause can make all the difference between a rushed decision and a well-considered one.
- Your gut instinct can be wrong—especially if you’re making quick judgments based on past success or fear of failure. It’s easy to rely on what worked before, but sometimes, it can create a false sense of confidence.
- A balance of instinct and analysis leads to better decision-making. When you balance your gut feelings with solid research or advice, you’re far more likely to make decisions that are both bold and informed.
Learning to Be Flexible (Even When You Don’t Want To)
One of the things Mary emphasized was the importance of being flexible in how you approach problems. When her VP of Sales gave her feedback about their marketing strategy, she could’ve taken it personally. It’s hard to hear that something you’ve worked on isn’t working, especially from someone outside your department. But instead of brushing it off, she listened and adjusted.
“Marketing and sales don’t always see eye to eye,” Mary said with a laugh. “But he had a point. Our email marketing wasn’t converting, and it was draining resources. So, we automated it and freed up time to try something else.”
That’s the key—being willing to shift gears when something isn’t working. Too often, we hold onto what we know, even when it’s clear that it’s not producing results. Flexibility isn’t just about changing what you do—it’s about being open to hearing criticism, making adjustments, and experimenting with new approaches.
What I Learned from Her Experience:
- Being open to feedback is crucial. Even if it stings, feedback helps you grow and improve.
- Don’t get too attached to one way of doing things. If something isn’t working, have the flexibility to pivot.
- Experimentation is part of the process. Sometimes, stepping back and trying a new method is what you need to move forward.
Reflections from the Interview
Talking with Mary reminded me of how easy it is to get caught up in your own bubble when you’re running a business. You’ve got your routines, your strategies, and they’ve worked for you in the past. But entrepreneurship is about growth, and growth doesn’t happen when you’re always doing the same thing. One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and really listening—to your team, to your customers, and even to yourself when you need to slow down and rethink your approach.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Mistakes happen. Don’t let them derail you. Use them as learning moments.
- Pause before reacting. Knee-jerk decisions aren’t always the best ones.
- Listen to others. Sometimes, the best ideas come from someone else’s perspective.
- Keep learning. The moment you think you know it all, you’ve stopped growing.
- Be adaptable. The business world is always changing, and you need to be ready to change with it.
Final Thoughts
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about going fast or taking risks. It’s about knowing when to trust your gut when to slow down, and when to take advice from others. Mary’s story is a reminder that while instinct is powerful, it’s not always enough. Success comes from being willing to adjust, learn, and move forward—even when it means admitting you were wrong.
If you’re in the middle of your own entrepreneurial journey, take a moment to ask yourself: are you moving too fast? Are you clinging to an old strategy just because it worked once? Maybe it’s time to slow down, listen, and adjust.
CONNECT WITH MARY DRUMOND:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marydrumond/
Website: https://www.neighborlysoftware.com/blog/team-member/mary-drumond/