8 Keys To Dealing With Know-it-all People
Know-it-all people often lead to problems in personal or professional relationships. Their way of acting irritates us: they may have more knowledge and experiences than we / others, but this does not give them the right to go through the world as if they knew everything, as if reason always assisted them. This is what really irritates us about them.
In the workplace, unfortunately, most employees run into at least one know-it-all coworker or boss at some point in their career. Working with someone gifted with this attitude then becomes a tortuous task that can hinder our professional development and even cause us to end up leaving work.
Keys to dealing with know-it-all people
In order to deal with know-it-all people, the following strategies can help:
1. Try to be understanding
That partner may be annoying, but remember that their attitude is likely to be supported by a lack of confidence or some deeper personal problem. Instead of getting angry, no matter how great the temptation, do not look for confrontation but empathy to try to end the way he has to relate to you. If you show him that the ladder he is climbing onto does not benefit him, it will be that person, on his own initiative, who wants to go down.
2. Choose your battles
Dealing with a know-it-all can be exhausting and there are times when the best thing you can do is ignore his “helpful” advice. Therefore, divert their comments with a simple “thanks for the suggestion” instead of opening a long discussion.
3. Lead by example
A boss or leader, in particular, has to learn that in many circumstances it is not only okay not to know everything, but it is recommended. Saying “I don’t know, but we’re going to find some answers or some good ideas” shows that you are flexible and open to other opinions. Saying “I don’t know” can also build trust by showing openness, vulnerability, and honesty.
4. Arm yourself with arguments
If you are making a presentation, selling an idea, or addressing a meeting, be confident in your arguments. Check your sources and verify the facts. The more knowledge you have, the more difficult it will be for a know-it-all to try to get above you.
When you are in a meeting, stick to a schedule, which should be made public in advance, and allow a specific amount of time for each intervention. Come prepared with data and statistics in writing, so if the know-it-all person interrupts you, have something in writing to share with the team. The better prepared you are, the less room there will be for the know-it-all to try to occupy your space.
The good news is that if you stop her feet two or three times, she will stop behaving like this to you. Think that people do not usually repeat those behaviors that have not been successful.
5. Keep your sense of humor
Know-it-all people can be very defensive, and sometimes even aggressive. The last thing you want to do is make them sit against the wall. So while it is very tempting to use sarcasm on a know-it-all, it would certainly backfire.
Instead, take a deep breath and say, “I didn’t know. How odd!”. Laugh at it to remind yourself that your behavior is often harmless and that it doesn’t really mean anything. A friendly expression or comment can ease any tension.
6. Ask test questions
Be respectful, but ask detailed questions to “peel off the layers” of a know-it-all. Ask why they think something is true or what their sources are. Thus, asking direct questions about specific details can teach a know-it-all to educate themselves before speaking.
7. Offer constructive criticism to that person about their behavior.
Recognize that know-it-all people may have no idea about the actual effect of their attitude on others. If you suspect this is the case, consider carefully and tactfully pointing it out during a private conversation. The important thing is that the other person feels motivated to analyze their attitude and not that they feel personally attacked. In the latter case, we can destroy you or achieve the opposite effect, which intensifies your “unbearable” way of relating.
Be aware that smarties can be very insecure, so it could be a blow to their ego. Remind her how important she is to the team, but even more importantly, remind her how important it is for others to have a space in which to contribute.
8. Avoid involving the boss as long as know-it-all people aren’t a big threat to the job.
If you have no choice, keep a positive tone and instead of complaining about the person, focus on what you are willing to do to make sure the job is done right. If the situation becomes really unbearable, discuss it with your boss and let him know how the know-it-all’s behavior is affecting the team and the work environment.
These are just some of the strategies that can help us. However, dealing with know-it-all people is above all an exercise in patience in which our emotional intelligence and communication skills come into play.
