Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions? - Insights and Solutions from Behavioral Economics

Opportunity brief

Why this event matters for exhibitors

The program titled 'Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions? – Insights and Solutions from Behavioral Economics' is a comprehensive initiative designed to equip managers, consultants, and transformation leaders with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of decision-making within organizations. Hosted at the Indian Institute of Management–Calcutta (IIM–Calcutta) in Kolkata, India, this face-to-face program spans from June 08 to June 12, 2026, and emphasizes an interactive and application-oriented learning approach.This program delves into the paradoxical nature of decision-making among ostensibly smart leaders who often fall prey to systematic errors due to deep-seated behavioral biases. Participants will explore how traditional incentives fail in practice and the psychological barriers that hinder effective change management. The curriculum is rooted in behavioral economics, providing a robust framework for understanding and rectifying these biases. Attendees will learn to diagnose the psychological drivers behind poor decisions, and redesign systems to enhance organizational performance. Key topics include overcoming biases such as overconfidence, anchoring, and herd behavior, as well as designing motivation systems that resonate beyond conventional financial incentives.Moreover, the program addresses critical aspects of decision-making, including strategy, hiring, performance appraisal, and investment planning. Participants will gain insights into managing resistance to change effectively, applying choice architecture, and utilizing nudges ethically to influence behavior. By integrating cutting-edge behavioral research with practical business applications, the program prepares leaders to implement behavioral interventions that improve performance, compliance, and employee engagement. Furthermore, attendees will build a practical behavioral toolkit that empowers them to systematically diagnose challenges, design interventions, and evaluate their effectivene