I have noticed this a lot in my career, I think it’s because these people self identify as smart/talented and every time you attempt some task, there is the possibility of failure - and for the “smart” person, failing at a task takes a stab at the heart of their identity. Self cushioning in a cloud of rationales “well, I can’t do X but at least I’m smart” means that if “being smart” is ever questioned, the possibility of them failing terrifies them.
This causes a paralysis.
Its total nonsense of course - the path to any success is littered with failures - failures are prerequisites of success, and are not optional.
I was an A student in school but I wasn’t naturally an A, I had to work for it, and I watched myself pass all of the “natural As” who snickered at me, told me my ideas were impossible, and then tried to join in when I showed them they weren’t. This went on throughout my career and is even happening now, there are people MUCH smarter than me at work, but through sheer willpower, grit and never giving up I have already achieved what they were telling me was impossible a year ago. This includes people like heads of departments at top tier universities - I was told my one that my idea on catalysis prediction was crazy and wouldn’t work - this man was the head of a certain department at an A-Tier US university, working in catalysis for 20 years, 6 months later, I have achieved it. Just keep working, asking questions, and adjusting course every day. If you’re gritty enough you can do it.
I often wonder if this kind of “identity bounding” as well as “fear permutations” are the downward pressures on intellect in the Darwinian sense