The majority of successful senior managers do not closely follow the classical rational model of first clari- lying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options, estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision, and only then taking action to implement the decision. Rather, in their day-by-day tactical maneuvers, these senior executives rely on what is vaguely termed 'intuition' to manage a network of interrelated problems that require them to deal with ambiguity, inconsistency, novelty, and surprise and to integrate action into the process of thinking. Generations of writers on management have recognized that some practicing managers rely heavily on intu- ition. In general, however, such writers display a poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the opposite of rationality others view it as an excuse for capriciousness. Isenberg’s recent research on the cognitive processes of senior managers reveals that managers' intuition is neither of these. Rather, senior managers use intuition in at least five distinct ways. First, they intuitively sense when a problem exists. Second, managers rely on intuition to perform. well-learned behavior. patterns rapidly. This intuition is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experience that build skills. A third function of intuition is to synthesize isolated bits of dar8 and practice into an integrated picture, often in an 'Aha' experience. Fourth, some managers use intuition as a check on the results of more rational analysis. Most senior executives are familiar with the formal decision analysis models and tools, and those who use such systematic methods for reaching decisions are occasionally leery of solutions suggested by these methods which run counter to their sense of the correct course of action. Finally, managers can use intuition to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution. Used in this way, intuition is an almost instantaneous cognitive process in which a manager recognizes patterns. One of the implications of the intuitive style. of executive management is that 'thinking' is inseparable from acting. Since managers often 'know' what is right before they can analyze and explain it, they frequently act first and explain later. Analysis is inextricably tied to action in thinking/acting cycles, in which managers develop thoughts about their companies and organizations not by analyzing a problematic situation and then acting, but by acting and analyzing in close concert. The classical model of decision analysis includes all EXCEPT