Why do powerful people act stupid?

 

The behaviour of powerful individuals might sometimes appear foolish or irrational due to a variety of psychological, social, and contextual factors:

Overconfidence: Power can lead to overconfidence, causing individuals to believe their decisions are always correct, even when they are not.

Isolation: Powerful people often become isolated from dissenting opinions and critical feedback, leading to poor decision-making.

Echo Chambers: They might surround themselves with people who agree with them, reinforcing their beliefs and behaviours, no matter how misguided.

Pressure and Stress: The high stakes and stress associated with power can impair judgment and lead to hasty or ill-considered actions.

Entitlement: Power can create a sense of entitlement, leading individuals to believe they are above the rules or norms that govern others' behaviour.

Cognitive Dissonance: When faced with evidence that contradicts their beliefs or actions, powerful individuals may double down on their original stance to avoid the discomfort of cognitive dissonance.

Groupthink: In hierarchical organizations, subordinates might be reluctant to challenge the ideas of those in power, leading to poor decisions being made without proper scrutiny.

Moral Licensing: Some powerful individuals might engage in unethical or irrational behaviour because they feel their position or past good deeds give them a license to do so.

Hubris Syndrome: Some psychologists argue that long-term holding of power can lead to hubris syndrome, a disorder of the possession of power, particularly power which has been associated with overwhelming success, held for a period of years.

These factors can combine to create a situation where powerful people make decisions or take actions that seem foolish or counterproductive.