Exam Info

Dealing with Know-It-Alls

So what do you do when someone thinks they know how to do your job better than you do?

You know the type. The ones who argue about fasting, the ones who tell you that you shouldn't do their blood pressure "like that," the ones who presume to inform you about how HIPAA works, etc.

(Not surprisingly, these folks never have the professional qualifications that should make them experts in these matters. Not that everyone who's an expert has the qualifications -- some folks are self-taught -- but that's rare).

When someone does this, I play dumb. (There are some who think that's not difficult for me, but that's for another day : )

I usually say something like, "Oh, this is the way we have to do it. We have things we have to do." Because you're not going to persuade someone who thinks they know it all.

I'm not talking about someone who has a genuine question. I'm happy to answer questions, explain, and teach. But those who are self-styled experts aren't persuadable, and probably aren't really interested in what I might say. What they want is a small soapbox, and me to be their audience.

So I smile, play dumb, repeat my line above about having to do it a certain way, and remind them that I have to be on my way, because I have others to see.

Just don't argue with such people. You can't win the argument, and you'll make them mad. It's easier to just past the situation.

posted by Jim Huffman @ 9:54 AM