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Why Smart People Make Dumb Decisions: The Knowing-Thinking Gap in Leadership
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Why do highly educated people make catastrophically bad decisions? In this episode, Mike Aponte reveals the "knowing-thinking gap"—the critical difference between memorizing information and actually thinking critically.
Drawing on his experience as a Merrill Lynch wealth manager during the 2008 financial crisis, Mike shares the story of a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who "knew" finance but couldn't think strategically about his portfolio. He also explores why high school students can memorize facts about clean energy but fail to think through second-order consequences.
You'll discover:
- - Why expertise in one domain doesn't transfer to critical thinking skills
- - The cognitive bias that makes smart people overconfident in unfamiliar areas
- - How to recognize when you're "knowing" vs. actually "thinking"
- - A framework for developing true critical thinking beyond knowledge accumulation
- - Real examples from Wall Street, education, and law enforcement
Perfect for educators, leaders, executives, and anyone who wants to move beyond surface-level knowledge to deep strategic thinking. Learn the decision-making frameworks used by top performers across industries.
Support the show
About the host: M.A. Aponte is a former JPMorgan banker, former Merrill Lynch wealth manager, former NYPD officer, Army Officer, and Executive Director of a Charter School in Florida. He is the author of The Logical Mind and host of Thinking 2 Think.
Join My Substack for more content: maaponte.substack.com
Consulting/Advisory Services: MAAponte.com
Professional LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/in/maaponte
Financial Budget/Wealth Management app (FREE): https://centsora.com/
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CRITICAL THINKING GAME APP! Currently in BETA:
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.base692af669b00f0dc8d8ad6653.app
- Web: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.base692af669b00f0dc8d8ad6653.app
- *Coming soon to Apple Store
📲 Let’s connect on social media (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/thinking2think
🔗 Follow us:
📖 Check out my book: The Logical Mind: Learn Critical Thinking to Make Better D...
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By Michael A Aponte
5
11 ratings
Send us Fan Mail
Why do highly educated people make catastrophically bad decisions? In this episode, Mike Aponte reveals the "knowing-thinking gap"—the critical difference between memorizing information and actually thinking critically.
Drawing on his experience as a Merrill Lynch wealth manager during the 2008 financial crisis, Mike shares the story of a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who "knew" finance but couldn't think strategically about his portfolio. He also explores why high school students can memorize facts about clean energy but fail to think through second-order consequences.
You'll discover:
- - Why expertise in one domain doesn't transfer to critical thinking skills
- - The cognitive bias that makes smart people overconfident in unfamiliar areas
- - How to recognize when you're "knowing" vs. actually "thinking"
- - A framework for developing true critical thinking beyond knowledge accumulation
- - Real examples from Wall Street, education, and law enforcement
Perfect for educators, leaders, executives, and anyone who wants to move beyond surface-level knowledge to deep strategic thinking. Learn the decision-making frameworks used by top performers across industries.
Support the show
About the host: M.A. Aponte is a former JPMorgan banker, former Merrill Lynch wealth manager, former NYPD officer, Army Officer, and Executive Director of a Charter School in Florida. He is the author of The Logical Mind and host of Thinking 2 Think.
Join My Substack for more content: maaponte.substack.com
Consulting/Advisory Services: MAAponte.com
Professional LinkedIn Page: www.linkedin.com/in/maaponte
Financial Budget/Wealth Management app (FREE): https://centsora.com/
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CRITICAL THINKING GAME APP! Currently in BETA:
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.base692af669b00f0dc8d8ad6653.app
- Web: https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.base692af669b00f0dc8d8ad6653.app
- *Coming soon to Apple Store
📲 Let’s connect on social media (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/thinking2think
🔗 Follow us:
📖 Check out my book: The Logical Mind: Learn Critical Thinking to Make Better D...