Can You Trust Your Gut: When the Data Says Otherwise?

Dear Product Builder,

Have you ever felt so strongly about a product decision that it almost felt… personal?

And then, just when you’re about to commit, the data says something else entirely.

I know that tension. We all do.

This question is “Should product decisions be driven by data or intuition?” is one that every product manager, founder, and strategist has wrestled with at some point. And at Kiolbi Labs, we decided it was time to tackle it head-on.

That’s why our latest webinar titled “Data vs. Gut Feeling: What Should Drive Product Decisions?” brought together three seasoned product experts, each with powerful stories, hard-earned insights, and lessons that could change how you lead your next product sprint.

Catch the full conversation now on YouTube →Watch the webinar (insert YouTube link.)

The Collision Between Intuition and Information

The panel included Adetola, a data first product manager, Mary a gut-driven empath and user advocate and Kemi, a balanced leader who blends both seamlessly.

What unfolded was more than just a debate, it was a masterclass in product judgment.

Adetola: The Power of Listening to the Numbers

Adetola, who spent four years deeply entrenched utilizing data analytics, shared a humbling story.

“We thought we knew what the issue was until the data came in”.

She and her team were enhancing a customer address verification feature. Relying on experience and assumptions, they began redesigning before the analytics report arrived.

Two hours later, the data landed and their assumptions were completely off. It wasn’t a speed issue, as they’d assumed. It was a specific feature causing friction for users.

Without the data, they would’ve fixed the wrong problem.

Takeaway:

• Always wait for the Voice of the Customer (VOC) data.

• Validate assumptions with measurable insight.

• Data might not be sexy but it will save you from building the wrong thing.

Mary: The Wisdom of User Empathy

Mary came from a retention-heavy, customer-facing role. Her story? Proof that data doesn’t always capture the whole truth.

“Beyond the physical data, there’s emotional data lying in what users aren’t saying.”

Working on an insurance product, Mary’s team initially followed the numbers. But deeper, empathetic listening uncovered unspoken pain points issues that data alone missed.

That gut-led approach helped her reorient users and increase engagement because listening led to trust.

Takeaway:

• Data is only part of the puzzle, human behavior is layered.

• Use qualitative research to enrich insights.

• Learn to “hear” the unsaid things your users are trying to tell you.

Kemi: Finding the Balance Between Data and Instinct

Kemi, the equilibrium in the room, lives at the intersection of analytics and experience.

“I start with data to frame the problem but instinct helps me spot what the data might be missing.”

She considers the team, the market, the moment. She knows when to dig into dashboards and when to lean on her lived understanding of how users think, feel, and act.

Her advice? Use both strategically.

Takeaway:

• Data frames reality; instinct fills in the gaps.

• Ask: What’s the data not telling me?

• Build a culture where intuition is tested, not ignored.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

• Data is essential but not always sufficient.

• Gut feeling matters especially when it’s backed by experience.

• The best PMs know when to lead with one and validate with the other.

• Don’t rush product decisions without checking for blind spots.

“We need data for confidence, but we need intuition for context.” — Kemi

Future Outlook: What Product Leadership Demands Today

As we enter a data-saturated product era, leaders must master the art of balance. The new superpower? Knowing when to trust the data and when to trust yourself.

Ready to Catch the Full Conversation?

We packed so much more into this insightful session from tactical frameworks to real product case studies. If you’re a product builder, designer, team lead, or founder, this conversation is for you.

Watch the full webinar now on YouTube: Data vs. Gut: What Should Drive Product Decisions?

Final Thought

If you’ve ever struggled to make the right product decision, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to guess your way through product leadership.

You can be informed and intuitive, a builder that leads with heart and logic. Let’s help you become that kind of leader.

Watch the webinar now and see what product decisions look like and when data and instinct collide.