Dealing With Know-it-alls: How Do You Do That? We Give You 8 Tips

Know-it-alls often cause problems in personal or professional relationships. Their way of acting annoys us. Perhaps they have more knowledge and experience than others. But this does not entitle them to act as if they know everything and as if they are always right. These are characteristics of these individuals that can be really annoying. But you can deal with know-it-alls by using the following tips.

In the workplace, most employees meet one employee or boss who is a know-it-all at some point in their career. Working with someone with this attitude can become a complicated task. Because it can hinder our professional development and even lead us to leave the job.

Dealing with know-it-alls by using the following tips

You can deal with know-it-alls by using the following strategies. Because they can help you:

1. Try to be understanding

This person can be annoying. But you have to remember that there is a good chance that their attitude is based on a lack of trust or a deeper personal problem. Instead of getting angry, don’t seek confrontation, no matter how great the temptation is. Instead, try to be empathetic. If you show them that this kind of attitude doesn’t give them the desired result, the other person will eventually stop behaving that way.

2. Choose your battles yourself

Dealing with know-it-alls can be exhausting. There are times when it’s best to ignore their “handy” advice. So to do that, you can brush off their comments with a simple “thank you for the proposal” instead of starting a long discussion.

3. Lead by example

Especially a leader or a boss must learn that in certain circumstances it is good not to know everything. He or she may say “I don’t know, but we can look for some answers or good ideas.” Because this shows that you are flexible and open to other opinions. Saying “I don’t know” can also build trust. Because then you show openness, vulnerability and honesty.

4. Arm yourself with arguments

If you’re making a presentation, selling an idea, or speaking at a meeting, you need to be confident in your arguments. Check your sources and check the facts. The more knowledge you have, the harder it will be for a know-it-all to try and rip you off.

When you are in a meeting, stick to a program. You provide this agenda in advance and you allocate a specific amount of time for each topic. Go to this meeting prepared and make sure you have the data and statistics on paper. Then when the know-it-all interrupts you, you’ll have something on paper to share with the team. The more prepared you are, the less room there will be for the know-it-all to try and take over.

You will then be able to stop them two to three times on their way. The positive aspect of this is that there is a good chance that the know-it-all will stop acting that way towards you. Remember, people usually don’t repeat behaviors that aren’t successful.

5. Keep your sense of humor

Know-it-alls can be very defensive and sometimes even aggressive. The last thing you want is to push them into a corner. It may be very tempting to use sarcasm towards a know-it-all. But it will definitely backfire.

Instead, take a deep breath and say, “I didn’t know that. How strange!”  Try to laugh the behavior off. Because you must not forget that their behavior is ultimately harmless and means nothing. A kind statement or comment can ease any tension.

6. Ask detailed questions

Be respectful but ask detailed questions so you can “peel the layers of the know-it-all.”  Ask them why they think something is true and what their sources are. Ask direct questions about specific details. Because that way you can teach a know-it-all that they should think before they speak.

7. Give the person constructive criticism about their behavior

Recognize that know-it-alls may not have a clue about the actual effect of their attitudes on others. If you suspect this is the case, consider discussing it in a caring and tactful way in a face-to-face meeting. Importantly, the other person feels motivated to dissect their behavior and does not feel personally attacked. Because in that case you can hurt the other person and get the opposite effect. Then you make sure that they reinforce their “unbearable” way of interacting with others.

Also keep in mind that know-it-alls can be very insecure. So this can be a blow to their ego. Remind them how important they are to the team. But more importantly, you remind them how important it is for others to have a chance to contribute.

8. Avoid involving the boss at first

If you don’t have a choice, keep a positive tone. Instead of complaining about the person, focus on what you’re willing to do to make sure the job is done right. If the situation gets really unbearable, talk to your boss about it anyway. Let him know how the know-it-all behavior affects the team and the work environment.

These are just a few strategies that can help. But dealing with know-it-alls is first and foremost an exercise in patience. Our emotional intelligence and communication skills play a role in this.