Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and Galashiels Peer response

DISCUSSION OF PAOLO LOBO EMBRACING PRAGMATIC INTUITIONDiscussion of Paolo Lobo Embracing Pragmatic Intuition
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DISCUSSION OF PAOLO LOBO EMBRACING PRAGMATIC INTUITION
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Discussion of Paolo Lobo Embracing Pragmatic Intuition
The president of Proteic Bioscience, Paolo Lobo, was introduced by presenters Dave
Keighron and Dr. Gelareh on the Innovation Fuel podcast, aired on January 17, 2023, Season
2, Episode 31. One of the most difficult choices entrepreneurs must make is whether to follow
their heart’s passion or their mind’s rationality, as shown by their illuminating dialogue
(Gilbert-Saad et al., 2023). Lobo’s open account of the process that turned Proteic into a
successful business highlights the careful balancing act required when making important
choices. Based on the audio synopsis, his business success story merits praise and critical
analysis.
The junction of reason and feeling, or the union of pragmatism with intuition, is a key
theme in Lobo’s thinking. On the one hand, it is enticing to applaud him for bringing a fresh
perspective to commercial decision-making; he finds a delicate balance, considering both the
subjective inclinations of the heart and the objective reasoning of the intellect. This strategy
has propelled Proteic Bioscience to tremendous heights, making it a shining beacon. While
such a strategy could be successful for Lobo, we must also be aware of its drawbacks. In
certain cases, relying only on intuition might result in rash, poorly thought-out judgments,
particularly in sectors like the biosciences where the stakes are so high. Personal prejudices
and irrational beliefs may mislead the heart, jeopardizing the venture’s success.
The tale of Lobo makes us think about how we make decisions. Most entrepreneurs,
including myself, alternate between being motivated by passion and being directed by data. In
my formative years, I emphasized intuition more and let my enthusiasm guide my choices.
Though I discovered that it became more and more vital to rely on facts, empirical evidence,
and logical reasoning as I gained more business expertise and experience. However, Lobo’s
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viewpoint supports a symbiotic combination of the two rather than the sole domination of
either strategy. Although the reasoning is persuasive, it still begs the issue of how to strike
this perfect equilibrium.
Entrepreneurs may begin by adopting a modest understanding of their cognitive and
emotional strengths and shortcomings, even if the episode synopsis does not detail this
balancing (Huy & Zott, 2019). This self-awareness guides a deliberate, continuing attempt to
balance intuition and analysis when making decisions. This claim sounds more like an art than
a science, critics may claim, and they would be correct. Entrepreneurial decision-making
requires a balance between the mind and the heart, which cannot be reduced to unbreakable
rules. However, it is a talent that can be developed with time, much like painting.
In conclusion, it is crucial to proceed carefully even if Lobo’s concepts provide an
appealing paradigm for business decision-making. It is not always easy to strike a healthy
balance between the two, and doing so often calls for a level of self-awareness and dexterity
that can only be acquired through practice. Protein Bioscience’s achievement under Paolo
Lobo’s direction shows that such a balance, if attained, may considerably improve one’s
capacity to make wise judgments.
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References
Gilbert-Saad, A., Siedlok, F., & McNaughton, R. B. (2023). Entrepreneurial heuristics:
Making strategic decisions in highly uncertain environments. Technological
Forecasting and Social Change, 189, 122335.
Huy, Q., & Zott, C. (2019). Exploring the affective underpinnings of dynamic managerial
capabilities: How managers’ emotion regulation behaviors mobilize resources for their
firms. Strategic Management Journal, 40(1), 28-54.