Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: Judgment in the Age of AI
Khaldoun Sweis
PhD Philosophy Professor | AI & Judgment
Make Better High-Stakes Decisions Before Your Blind Spots Cost You
Your next costly mistake may not come from a lack of intelligence. It may come from an assumption you're too confident to question.
As a founder, executive, or manager, you're expected to decide quickly despite incomplete information, AI-generated advice, competing priorities, and real consequences for your team. Yet the qualities that helped you succeed- confidence, experience, decisiveness—can also conceal confirmation bias, rationalization, and sunk-cost thinking.
In this live, working session, bring one decision you're facing now. You'll apply a four-question Decision Clarity Filter to challenge your assumptions, test opposing evidence, identify hidden influences, and choose a more defensible next step.
Leave with a clearer assessment of that decision and a reusable tool for future high-stakes choices.
Led by Dr. Khaldoun Sweis, a philosophy professor, published author, and executive coach, this is not a motivational lecture. You'll practice better judgment on a decision that matters to you.
What you’ll learn
Leave with a clearer path forward, greater confidence in high-stakes decisions, and a practical way to avoid costly leadership mistakes.
Identify hidden biases that distort important decisions.
Recognize when intelligence becomes overconfidence.
Detect recurring thinking patterns that undermine success.
Separate facts from assumptions and emotional reactions.
Question beliefs that may be limiting your judgment.
Recognize when you're rationalizing a poor decision.
Evaluate competing options under pressure and uncertainty
Recognize the limits of AI-generated recommendations.
Reduce avoidable mistakes by testing opposing evidence.
Bring a real professional decision to evaluate.
Use four critical questions to expose hidden weaknesses.
Identify a more informed, defensible next step.
Learn directly from Khaldoun
Khaldoun Sweis
PhD Philosophy Professor | Decision Making & AI | Author, Executive Coach
Who this course is for
For successful professionals who know they are capable of more but recognize that something may be holding them back.
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Khaldoun Sweis in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
Course syllabus
4 live sessions • 2 lessons
Week 1
The Intelligence Trap: Why Brilliant People Make Costly Decisions
Jan
20
Session 1: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions
Jan
22
Session 2: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions
Week 2
The Decision Clarity Lab: Make Smarter Choices Under Pressure
Jan
27
Session 3: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions
Jan
29
Session 4: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions
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