And they know when they're making a decision based on those instincts, rather than on the preponderance of data set before them. That doesn't mean they ignore data. It simply means they recognize that data can only express the knowable factors impacting the decision. If unknowable factors have potentially greater impact than knowable ones, then it's actually logical to not let the knowable factors sway you too much. Being smart can get you very far in life, but all the smarts in the world aren't much use if you don't understand how people feel about, and respond to, your words and actions.
Technologists have to understand business economics.
They must be able to evaluate ROI and quantify risk. But to be really successful in the highest sense, they also have to understand that life is about people. You retain more customers when they're treated as people. You get better deals with suppliers when they're treated as people. Employees deliver better when they're treated as people.