Why Smart People Make Terrible Business Decisions
Private Equity Data Guy · 2025-07-04 · 44 min
Episode notes
The episode of Transformed With Data Podcast, Graeme Crawford talks with executive coach Glen Hellman about why smart people often make terrible business decisions and how to avoid decision paralysis. Glen, recently recognized as a top executive coach by Inc. Magazine, shares insights on how too much data can actually hinder decision-making, why our brains are wired for simple choices rather than complex analysis, and practical strategies for making better choices in business. They discuss the importance of simplifying decisions, understanding your ideal clients, embracing failure as a learning tool, and recognizing the role luck plays in entrepreneurship. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 - Walking away from bad-fit customers 0:29 - Scale your business with data intro 1:04 - Why smart people make bad decisions 2:04 - Glenn Hellman introduction and credentials 2:29 - Decision making and data obsession 4:33 - Inc.
More from Private Equity Data Guy
All episodes →- Why Hiring Works More Like Sales Than HR68 / 100
- Why PE Firms Are Asking the Wrong Question About AI65 / 100
- This Is How He Turned Agency Ownership Into a Video Game67 / 100
- What PE Buyers Find When They Actually Look at Your Data
- Is your Data telling you the right story?