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The Human Factor Podcast: Exploring the Intersection of Humanity, Technology, and Transformation
We have launched the Human Factor Podcast, exploring the psychological forces that determine transformation success or failure. Each week, we dive deeply into the human side of organizational change with leaders of organizations, transformation experts, and the researchers who understand that technology alone never drives lasting change.
This isn’t another business podcast about the latest technology trends. This is about understanding the human factor and why smart people resist change. We explore how human-centered approaches accelerate change adoption and analyze the critical factors that distinguish successful transformations from expensive failures.
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2040 Digital Is Celebrating It’s 11th Anniversary
Thank you to our clients, subscribers and readers for your confidence, trust and support over the past 11 years.
We look forward to many more years guiding, informing and advising organizations and individuals on their transformation path.
Who We Are?
2040 Digital is a full-service strategic solutions firm that helps you navigate today’s complex, constantly-evolving digital business environment. We are specialists in not-for-profits, B2B publishers, B2C publishers, associations, government and businesses in general.
Everything we do is geared to transforming your organization and fulfilling its potential in a dynamic and ever increasingly digital world.
We work with you to build a relevant narrative that singles you out in your market and target market sectors.
We are your partner in strengthening your brand, developing a sustainable business strategy, growing your revenues and engaging your key stakeholders.
Our work is based on trust, built on authenticity and powered through collaboration.
Digital environments are changing by the minute. It’s a dynamic, often confusing picture.
2040 Digital brings together the digital, analytical, technical, creative, and business assets that your organization needs to:
How We Work
There isn’t anything we do at 2040 Digital that is cookie cutter. We deliver powerful results, with solutions, strategies, and recommendations that are matched to your business, market, and customers. Learn More>
Current Issue of 2040's Ideas and Innovations Newsletter
Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: The Psychology of Bias in Leadership
Issue 235, October 23, 2025
We have been documenting why smart people make bad decisions for several years. We thought we’d see random failure patterns across different types of leaders. But what emerged was much more systematic. The same cognitive traps keep appearing regardless of industry, education level, or experience. It’s almost like intelligent leaders create their own blind spots.
Note: Related to this article, we have launched the Human Factor Podcast that explores the psychological forces that determine transformation success or failure. More details are at the end of this article. Listen and view on your preferred podcast platform, or here.
The Intelligence Paradox
According to our research, intelligence doesn’t prevent bad decision-making. Sometimes it actually amplifies mistakes. The psychology of bias in leadership reveals why smart people consistently fall into the same cognitive traps, and more importantly, how to recognize and overcome them.
Get “The Truth about Transformation”
The 2040 construct to change and transformation. What’s the biggest reason organizations fail? They don’t honor, respect, and acknowledge the human factor. We have compiled a playbook for organizations of all sizes to consider all the elements that comprise change and we have included some provocative case studies that illustrate how transformation can quickly derail.