To grasp a situation, we prefer to look at the details (Perception) or at our ideas (Intuition). To weigh up possible alternatives when making decisions, we make greater use of our gut feeling (Feeling) or thinking (Thinking).

• Sensing (perception): Perceiving reality with all senses.

• Intuition: Intuitively grasping the meaning of a situation.

• Thinking): Making decisions according to rational, logical criteria.

• Feeling (feeling): Using our complex, also emotional experiences.

Perception: We see, hear, feel, smell and taste the important things as they are. It is about the rational perception of contexts and details. The more accurately we perceive something, the more likely we are to discover facts, possibilities, risks and opportunities, flaws or commonalities.

Intuition: In this attitude we get from the deeper levels in the unconscious the summary of a complex event, compared with our needs and experiences. Our subjective impression is: we have grasped the whole situation intuitively. We can compare it with the bird’s eye view, which also gives a view of experiences and future plans.

Thinking: In this attitude, I like to use target-performance comparisons, outlined processes or the comparison of advantages and disadvantages. After the facts and logical consequences have been clarified, the decision should be well-founded, because it takes into account the interplay of cause and effect.

Feeling: Our ‘gut feeling’ reflects our emotional experiences and desires. Unconsciously, we compare a situation with the emotions in similar memories we have already lived through. Our feeling provides a spontaneous answer, much faster than conscious analyzing, calculating and rational thinking.

Holistic decisions: Each of these four systems has its advantages. Therefore, it is useful to complement intuition with rational perception, and to calmly think through the spontaneous reflections of feeling.