If you are like most people, you have a “Know-It-All” in your life. You know the type. There is nothing they don’t know. Just ask them. Wait don’t ask them. In fact, you don’t HAVE to ask them. They gladly offer their unending stream of knowledge without ever being asked. As soon as they are in your presence, they need but open their mouth and out it comes, volumes upon volumes of information you never knew existed. In fact, you never really cared if it existed, but that doesn’t stop the know-it -all. They don’t even have to be part of the conversion. They are compelled to contribute. They know more, have seen more, have done more, and even if none of that is actually true, they will make you think it’s true. If they sky is blue, they will argue it’s green. They love to argue, particularly about things that don’t matter and no one cares about. Except for them, of course. They talk so much you want to choke them, but you know better! They would have to explain to you in minute detail how to go about the act of choking, the history of choking, and the physical, mental and emotional ramifications of choking, and that would defeat the purpose!
Today, it seems every sort of bad and boorish behavior is actually the result of a “syndrome” and the know-it-all is no exception! Psychology Today says the know-it-all actually suffers from the “Know It All Syndrome”! Imagine! In their May 2015 edition they detail in an article titled “What You Need to Know About a Know-It-All”. Really? Who needs to know MORE about the know-it-all? I think we are all in agreement we want to know less, not more!
Sales Aerobics For Engineers goes one step further. They explain how to deal with “Know-It-All Syndrome”! In fact, they claim there are actually three types of Know-It-All Syndromes.
There are the “Don’t Know-It-All Syndrome” folks, who operate under the delusion that they DO know it all, the “Self-Affirming Know-It-All Syndrome” sufferers, who are subject matter experts but require continuous affirmation, and finally, those who are victims of “True Know- It-All Syndrome”! These people actually DO know everything, but make our lives miserable by rubbing it in our face every chance they get!
The strategies to deal with the know-it-all are endless. Everything from don’t take it personally, to don’t argue, use flattery, give constructive feedback, be understanding as they actually suffer from incredibly low self-esteem, so on and so on. Everyone who knows a know-it-all has tried all of these approaches and more. The strategies don’t work because no matter which you attempt to employ, the know-it-all just won’t shut up!
And therein lies the answer. “Shut Up!” Yes, you heard me. “Shut Up!” Two simple words, used throughout the centuries, mostly by Dads. My Father used it often and it worked perfectly every time. The meaning of the phrase has never been misunderstood, nor has the response to the command; SILENCE. Sweet, blessed, SILENCE. “Shut Up”, end of discussion!
It’s been said “silence is the hardest argument to refute”. With the know-it-all, sometimes it takes a “Shut Up” to get you there!
The Lonesome Leaker 