Most of us must deal with a person at work who knows everything, has all the answers, and knows it. It probably makes your skin crawl every time they come into the room - before they even open their mouth. If you do not know who the know-it-all is at your job, and to make sure it is not you, here are a few signs of how to detect a "wise guy" who: 1) always takes over the conversation, 2) does not listen to others, especially when it comes to 3) accepting criticism from others, and often 4) speaks in a condescending tone. However, all is not lost. Here are some ways to deal with the resident smart alec to help you find peace at your job.
They May Have Something to Prove. Oftentimes, those who speak the loudest and have the most opinions have the greatest level of insecurity. They may have been told they were not enough at an earlier time in life. As a result, they now have an inner need to have all the answers. An old coworker of mine – who was a know-it-all – once mentioned in casual conversation how he was not allowed to make mistakes as a child. He was not able to bring home anything less than an “A”. He was not allowed to do anything wrong. His mother would tell him anything less than perfect was unacceptable. While I am sure his mom had the right intentions, it seemed to have permanently impacted her child. Knowing this about my coworker helped me to try and understand him better. It did not excuse his behavior but allowed me to have more patience when dealing with him. You can still tactfully address rudeness or interruptions when these moments happen. Regardless of one’s past, there is no excuse for a lack of manners. If this is something the person is known to do, then before you even start speaking, ask to have a few minutes to voice your opinion or provide instruction before questions are asked or additional feedback is given.
Their Confidence May Be Valid. Do they really know.it.all 🤔 Learning can truly be a lifestyle. Some people get so invested in a specific area of interest or may be intrigued by all things learning. So, appreciate what they have to offer. While you want the answer to come from anybody except that person, it should not matter if you get the answer. Additionally, you can ask everyone to provide input. Have others provide their input first because they may have the same thought or answer but are unable to voice it because of the know-it-all. Invite other members of the team to respond so they feel comfortable speaking up. Also, ask for facts and not data. Sometimes the know-it-all just wants others to know how much they know but does not provide value for what is needed. During these times, you can ask for the facts related to the topic and not additional data that does not allow you to work towards a resolution.
Are My Insecurities the Problem? Could your issue be based on your insecurities? You are smart too! However, when you are around this person, you start to question your opinion and level of knowledge. Even if you have more experience on the matter. This is not their fault. Your confidence or lack thereof is your responsibility. Their intelligence does not negate your level of intelligence. Additionally, start to “toot your own horn”. (Learn how to do this professionally here.) This is for you more than it is for others. Speaking yourself up can help you learn how to work with others who seem to know-it-all, all without bias. Working with a know-it-all is irritating at best and career-limiting at worst. But you don’t need to sit back and suffer. You can take steps to curb your colleague’s bluster or at least lessen its impact on you and others.
There will be a know-it-all in every organization. The best way to ensure you have continued success is to be patient with them. Try to focus on the person and not the representative they show you. Honestly, if you get to know most of them below the surface, you will probably start to feel sorry for them as opposed to infuriated with them. Think of the promotion and exposure working with each other can provide and possibly even a reduction in stress because you know this person will show up to get the job done. Let’s take every opportunity to find the positive in each situation to reduce your level of stress and anxiety and continue to grow and grind to get to your ultimate career goal.
The Transform Tuesdays newsletter was created to help professionals in corporate positions navigate the world of corporate America by overcoming the hurdles hindering them from growing to the next level in their careers, including knowing their value, using their voice, and being authentic to themselves.
Sherrika Sanders has been an accountant by trade for over 15 years. During her years as a corporate accountant, Sherrika progressed through various roles from Revenue Accountant to Corporate Controller. She worked to develop consolidated business processes, post-acquisition financial integration, and Fresh Start Accounting upon emergence from Chapter 11 within seven months of initial filing during her time as an Assistant Controller. Sherrika resigned from her role as Corporate Controller to take a leap of faith and start her own company, Transform the GAAP (Goals Assigned Achieving Purpose), where she specializes in helping employees on the accounting teams of Private and PE-backed organizations increase their productivity by identifying errors and inefficiencies in their current processes to meet organizational deadlines and professional goals. If you are seeking one-on-one or group coaching sessions, click on the following link for a complimentary consultation on how you can work with Sherrika to Transform the GAAP together. Sherrika believes in a judgment-free zone where all are contributors working towards a common goal. Visit https://www.transformthegaap.com/ to learn more.
Comments