The Surprising Reason Some Smart People Make Terrible Decisions

Intelligence is a powerful tool. But it's also a trap. Sometimes, the bad decisions that sink great companies or end good marriages come from thinking very hard—in the wrong direction, with total conviction and nobody around willing to interrupt. People get good at justifying irrational choices. The bad news is that the smarter you are, the better you become at making a convincing argument for what you already wanted to believe.

Theoretical physicist Richard Feynman, who knew a thing or two about being smart, once said, "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool." He also wrote, "I'm smart enough to know that I'm dumb." He watched brilliant colleagues talk themselves into nonsense with perfectly logical steps.

The practical problem is that our reasoning has been trained for decades to be right at all costs. Schools and institutions reward you for building better arguments, defending your positions and winning debates. Nobody recognized you for noticing you could be wrong. So, by the time someone is brilliant, they have spent years getting really good at justification. And almost no time at all getting good at doubt.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.