EVERY organisation has its share of smart alec employees. The kind who say, act and believe that they know it all. They have IQs in 160s and have on five different occasions come up with brilliant plans that could or have changed the world. They are walking encyclopaedias of information, they have answers to everything - from where you can get Gucci shoes at throwaway prices to how the shifting geotectonic plates in the Pacific have created havoc in Nicaragua's mining industry. In short, they are people who know it all. They are always right, and not surprisingly, they know that as well.
The problem with a know-it-all is that he dominates conversations with endless sermons on any topic under the sun. He condescendingly disputes every opinion just to prove that he knows more than anybody else. No one can dare to disagree with him.
If you are an eternal optimist, you could say that he liberally shares all he knows. But he shares it too liberally for comfort. What is more, he is not even above butting into discussions with his own opinion whether you ask for it or not, let alone whether you like it or not.
Such foisting of views down others' throats bogs down the entire team. The know-it-all either builds a little clan of zombie-like followers who do his bidding or he alienates himself from everybody.
Often, this dogmatically sure, `I am always right' attitude rubs everybody the wrong way. People do not like being told they are wrong and especially by somebody who is right. Everyone around is dying to bring him down a peg or two, but to no avail. Well, before you hang up your boots in defeat, here are a few tips that can help:
Do not turn a deaf ear
Remember that he is not a know-it-all for no reason. Respect his knowledge even if you cannot respect the person. Do not discount his erudite views hastily as he may just be shedding light on the information that you are seeking or the solution that is eluding you. Their protracted arguments may discredit others but somewhere, within that vast labyrinth of superfluity, there will be a grain - a shred of utility that you could use.
Pick the brains
You can exploit his extensive knowledge and expertise to your advantage too. Ask careful and intelligent questions to borrow from his cache without making your intentions too obvious. Also, keep your queries specific; else, you may just be in for a prolonged monologue of totally unrelated tangents.
Take the wind out of the sails
Accept that you cannot hold a candle to his vast knowledge. But, merely ignoring his remarks or vaguely replying with an `I guess so' will make him falter in his footsteps. Also, bringing your sense of humour into play and laughing off his juvenile idiosyncrasies will leave him floundering too. On a lighter note, you can even give him a taste of his own medicine by duplicating his supercilious attitude.
Stock up on ammunition
If you wish to confront the know-it-all on his own turf, you have your work cut out for you. You will have to do some serious reading, build up your knowledge quotient, and make sure you are abreast of the facts. Operating on mere guesswork, assumptions and hunches will only cause you to lose face, as he will catch you out within no time. So, do your homework.
Fire the salvo
A know-it-all will go out of his way to correct others but cannot stand to be contradicted. So, arm yourself with sufficient proof before challenging his statements or credentials. And, be ready to stand your ground, as he will try his best to cow you down with his incessant testimonials.
Belling the cat
You cannot change his overbearing and arrogant ways overnight. But, with time and perseverance, you can bear witness to that miracle. Try to gain a private audience where you can candidly but kindly talk to him about his attitude. Request him to use some discretion and cut back on the sassy remarks and callous dismissals. And just grin and bear it while you cross your fingers hoping for the best. If nothing works, take heart in French author, Andre Gide's cheeky aside in his book, `The Immortalist' - `One must allow others to be right... it consoles them for not being anything else!'
The problem with a know-it-all is that he dominates conversations with endless sermons on any topic under the sun. He condescendingly disputes every opinion just to prove that he knows more than anybody else. No one can dare to disagree with him.
If you are an eternal optimist, you could say that he liberally shares all he knows. But he shares it too liberally for comfort. What is more, he is not even above butting into discussions with his own opinion whether you ask for it or not, let alone whether you like it or not.
Such foisting of views down others' throats bogs down the entire team. The know-it-all either builds a little clan of zombie-like followers who do his bidding or he alienates himself from everybody.
Often, this dogmatically sure, `I am always right' attitude rubs everybody the wrong way. People do not like being told they are wrong and especially by somebody who is right. Everyone around is dying to bring him down a peg or two, but to no avail. Well, before you hang up your boots in defeat, here are a few tips that can help:
Do not turn a deaf ear
Remember that he is not a know-it-all for no reason. Respect his knowledge even if you cannot respect the person. Do not discount his erudite views hastily as he may just be shedding light on the information that you are seeking or the solution that is eluding you. Their protracted arguments may discredit others but somewhere, within that vast labyrinth of superfluity, there will be a grain - a shred of utility that you could use.
Pick the brains
You can exploit his extensive knowledge and expertise to your advantage too. Ask careful and intelligent questions to borrow from his cache without making your intentions too obvious. Also, keep your queries specific; else, you may just be in for a prolonged monologue of totally unrelated tangents.
Take the wind out of the sails
Accept that you cannot hold a candle to his vast knowledge. But, merely ignoring his remarks or vaguely replying with an `I guess so' will make him falter in his footsteps. Also, bringing your sense of humour into play and laughing off his juvenile idiosyncrasies will leave him floundering too. On a lighter note, you can even give him a taste of his own medicine by duplicating his supercilious attitude.
Stock up on ammunition
If you wish to confront the know-it-all on his own turf, you have your work cut out for you. You will have to do some serious reading, build up your knowledge quotient, and make sure you are abreast of the facts. Operating on mere guesswork, assumptions and hunches will only cause you to lose face, as he will catch you out within no time. So, do your homework.
Fire the salvo
A know-it-all will go out of his way to correct others but cannot stand to be contradicted. So, arm yourself with sufficient proof before challenging his statements or credentials. And, be ready to stand your ground, as he will try his best to cow you down with his incessant testimonials.
Belling the cat
You cannot change his overbearing and arrogant ways overnight. But, with time and perseverance, you can bear witness to that miracle. Try to gain a private audience where you can candidly but kindly talk to him about his attitude. Request him to use some discretion and cut back on the sassy remarks and callous dismissals. And just grin and bear it while you cross your fingers hoping for the best. If nothing works, take heart in French author, Andre Gide's cheeky aside in his book, `The Immortalist' - `One must allow others to be right... it consoles them for not being anything else!'
PAYAL AGARWAL
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