3 Ways to Deal With the Office Know-it-All

3 Ways to Deal With the Office Know-it-All3 Ways to Deal With the Office Know-it-AllSome things never change.Remember when you were a kid, and there was always at least one of your playmates who seemed to have the answer for everything? It was annoying back then, and not surprisingly, its still annoying as an adult- especially in a work setting.It was easy enough to avoid the playground know-it-all you probably just ignored him or her and found someone else to play with. But, in a professional setting, its not quite so simple. Depending on the dynamics of your kollektiv and the relationship with your all-knowing colleague, handling his or her perceived omnipotence can be a delicate manner.If youre faced with a know-it-all in the office, try these three strategies to deal, without having to tritt sand in anyones face.1. EngageOne of the first times I encountered someone who had all the answers, I was fairly early on in my career, as was she, and I interpreted her knowledge-sharing as a slight against my own experience. I assumed, because she was telling me all about how a certain procedure really worked, she was implying I didnt know myself.I took offense- and blurted out something about how everyone in the group knew that, and she wasnt on to anything new. She was horrified, and soon, I was, too. Turns out, she was simply excited that shed learned something new and was eager to prove to the rest of the team she was keeping up.I felt like a complete jerk. Rather than simply joining in on the conversation and sharing my own experience on the topic, I let my ego get in the way and couldve easily damaged a great working relationship. Fortunately, we both recognized what had happened and changed how we interacted going forward.Now, when I come across a suspected know-it-all, I remind myself to cool my jets and actually listen to what the person saying- through a professional lens, rather than a personal. I pay attention to whats being said, and then I use it as a ju mping-off point to engage with my colleague. If it feels like someone is telling you his or her way is the only way, ask questions about the process, and share how youve been doing things as well. Who knows- maybe between the two of you, youll find a way that really is the best2. IgnoreOK, I know I said playground tactics wont work in the office, and while thats mostly true, ignoring your know-it-all colleague is probably a good move when its clear he or she isnt just trying to fit in or collaborate with you.Ive worked with a few people like this, but the worst offenders were when I worked for a bank, essentially on a trading desk. (Think long tables with people lined up right next to one anther, with zero space or privacy.) At the time, I was the only woman on the desk, and the fellas enjoyed giving me a good roasting on nearly a daily basis. I have pretty thick skin, so that never bothered me- but when theyd butt in on phone conversations or interrupt me in the middle of complicat ed assignments to show me how things are done, Id lose my cool pretty quickly.Initially, Id unleash my best brand of sarcasm to put them in their place, but that rarely worked. Finally, exhausted from the effort (being sarcastic is hard work) I channeled my inner playground tactics and decide to try ignoring them instead. Every time theyd offer up their help, Id smile politely and just keep going about my business. Sometimes, Id pretend I didnt hear what they were saying, or Id get up from the desk for a few minutes until they lost interest. It worked like a charm Over time, my expert colleagues figured out I actually knew the job as well as they did- if not better- and their helpful advice abated.If your know-it-all is at a similar level to you professionally and isnt offering you any valuable advice, try politely changing the subject or excusing yourself to go visit Bob in accounting. Anything to distract your helpful colleagues from their all-knowingness. Over time, theyll get th e idea and see that their advice is falling on deaf- and completely capable- ears.3. EndureNow, if your wise colleague happens to be someone more superior- say, your boss- handling the situation gets a bit more complicated. After all, your boss is supposed to know it all, right? Yet, theres just something about how that knowledge is dropped that makes all the difference between being a mentor and being a pain in the ass.I had a boss many years ago that really knew his stuff. And if it wasnt apparent by the work he did, hed make sure you heard about it. If I was working on a complicated transaction, for example, hed peer over my shoulder at my desk and say things like, Oh, I wouldnt do it like that. Let me show you the right way to do this. Id been around the block a few times by this point, and I knew I couldnt just shut him down or try to engage. This left me only one, fairly uncomfortable option I had to hunker down and take it.Work isnt always fun or fair, which means sometimes w e have to do things we dont like for the greater good. In my case, my boss got to feel like he was really coaching me, and although I often ended up doing things my own way in the end, he always felt as if hed done his job as a manager and mentor along the way. Definitely painful, but a win-win for everyone.Throughout your career, youll no doubt encounter a few know-it-alls, and while they can be pretty pesky, they dont have to ruin your day. Follow these guidelines to recognize where all that helpful advice might be coming from, whos giving it, and why, and youll be better equipped to handle it like an adult.Photo of office know-it-all courtesy of Shutterstock.