How To Deal With Know It All Person: 15-Step Guide

Today you’ll find out how to face everybody.

We’ve all come across people who think they know it all – smart pants, wise men, or smart people. Whether it is at family gatherings, at the office, or in social settings, these know-it-alls can be unbelievably frustrating, irrespective of our efforts to include, tolerate, or even understand them. While avoiding them altogether may appear to be the best solution, it is not all the time possible if they’re friends, members of the family, or co-workers of individuals we know. As a result, it is vital to be equipped with a method to deal with it effectively.

How to deal with Know It All Person:

1. It can be helpful to try to understand the reasons behind a know-it-all person’s behavior.

Some may have an underlying personality disorder or an inordinate need for admiration that fuels their need to know everything. Instead of instantly giving a fight-or-flight response, it is vital to try to tolerate their behavior and recognize that differences between people are unavoidable.

Respect is key in understanding other people, and it is vital to recognize that others may not conform to our own ideas. To gain respect for our own opinions, we need to respect the opinions of others, including know-it-alls. Only by truly appreciating them for who they’re can we begin to understand their perspective.

2. When dealing with know-it-alls, it is vital to resist the urge to respond with anger or frustration.

Taking time to calm down and think before you respond can really increase your confidence in dealing with them. By giving yourself time to think, you can formulate a well-thought-out response that a know-it-all is more likely to accept.

Rushing to respond while the other person is still talking can cause you to miss important points and result in ineffective or offensive responses. It’s also important to remember that saying something out of anger can damage relationships and create awkward situations that do not solve problems with a know-it-all.

On the other hand, a thoughtful and respectful response is more likely to be received positively by a know-it-all, even if they do not utterly agree with your perspective.

3. Setting a positive example can be a robust tool when dealing with know-it-alls.

Don’t be afraid to admit when you do not know something, as this can show that it is okay not to have all the answers. By modeling appropriate behavior, you can even encourage others to feel more comfy with not knowing everything, including those who do.

When responding to know-it-alls, it can be helpful to follow up with questions and seek multiple perspectives to show that you value flexibility and inclusion. Admitting that you do not know something can even build trust by showing honesty and vulnerability.

Instead of just saying “I don’t know,” try using phrases like “I don’t know the answer, but I would love to find out” or “Let me share what I do know and what I’m still learning.” This can help keep the conversation productive and focused on finding solutions rather than simply dropping out.

4. If you notice that a know-it-all person’s behavior is negatively impacting others, it may be helpful to provide constructive feedback.

While it may be difficult to strike up a conversation, it is vital to approach the conversation with kindness and respect. Consider inviting an know-it-all for coffee or scheduling a private meeting to discuss the matter.

While know-it-alls may appear confident, they often struggle with insecurities, so it can be helpful to acknowledge their knowledge and expertise before discussing the negative impact of their behavior. Soften the punch by explaining that everybody should have the opportunity to contribute and that a sense of community is important.

By offering constructive feedback in a supportive way, you can help know-it-alls recognize the impact of their behavior and work to improve their interactions with others.

5. When seeking knowledge-based resolutions, it is vital to build a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

This can help create a positive environment for assertive and respectful communication. Rather than assuming negative intentions, try to understand the standpoint of a know-it-all and avoid labeling their behavior as stubborn or unkind.

While you do not have to agree with their opinions, it is vital to acknowledge them and keep an open mind. A positive attitude can help create a productive environment in which to solve any problem.

It’s important to be patient and listen carefully to what the know-it-all is communicating, and do not hesitate to ask for clarification if needed. By working together towards a resolution, you can help know-it-alls recognize the impact of their behavior and make positive changes.

6. Allure to selfishness by acknowledging their vast knowledge.

Since they may not be very good listeners, raising a problem and asking for their advice can get their attention and show the value of their opinion. For example, you could ask their advice a few problem you are having, such as having trouble getting up in the morning.

This approach compliments their skills and can help engage them in additional productive conversations. By showing that you value their opinion, you may have the ability to create more positive and productive relationships with know-it-alls.

7. Arm yourself with verified facts to limit their negative impact and stop them from interrupting with misinformation.

If you are giving a presentation, consider providing an agenda ahead of time that includes time limits for each phase of the talk. You can even include irrefutable statistics and cite facts to support your perspective.

Preparation is key when dealing with know-it-alls. The more you’re able to defend your perspective with verified facts, the better prepared you’ll be to handle any challenges that may arise.

By demonstrating a solid understanding of the subject at hand, you can even potentially earn the respect of a know-it-all and steer the conversation towards a more productive outcome.

8. If you want to be more direct when dealing with know-it-alls, you can try countering their responses with truisms.

Truism is an announcement that’s clearly true and leaves little room for know-it-alls to butt in with their own opinions. For example, before making an announcement, you might say “If we are open to all possibilities, we might consider looking at it like this.”

This type of truism can throw off know-it-alls, forcing them to reconsider their perspective. Alternatively, after a know-it-all has provided feedback, you can say, “I was surprised to hear that, because I thought your perspective would be different.”

This approach questions their responses without being overly confrontational, which can catch them off guard and potentially open the conversation to a more productive dialogue. By using truisms to guide the conversation, you can potentially steer it towards a more collaborative and respectful tone.

9. When dealing with know-it-alls, be honest about how their communication style makes you feel and what you need from them.

For example, you could say, “Sometimes I feel uncomfortable expressing my opinion when you keep interrupting. Would you mind waiting until I finish before sharing your thoughts? or “I value your opinion, but right now I’m just looking for support for this idea. Would you be open to letting me know which parts you like? or “Can you tell me what you understand by this so I can hear how it sounds to other people?”

By expressing your thoughts as requests, you can help create more collaborative and supportive conversations that don’t stop a know-it-all from contributing. This approach can help set boundaries and promote more productive dialogue (1).

10. In some cases, it may be necessary to have a broken record when dealing with know-it-alls.

This approach involves repeating your position over and over again, without getting stuck in the perspective of a know-it-all. The idea is to be tenacious and persistent, undercutting know-it-alls until they finally either give up or start seeing things from your point of view.

For example, you could say, “I understand how important that is to you, but I really don’t want to do it…seriously, I don’t want to do it.” Or, “I think it’s too expensive… yes, this might be a good deal, but it’s still too expensive… I understand there is financing available, but it’s still too expensive.”

By sticking to your positions and repeating them consistently, you can potentially break through the resistance of know-it-alls and achieve more productive results. It’s important to stay calm and focused, even if a know-it-all gets frustrated or confrontational. Ultimately, the goal is to find a solution that works for everybody, although it takes persistence and repetition to get there.

11. Ask probing questions to challenge their perspective and encourage more thoughtful responses.

Know-it-alls are often happy to be contrarian, but asking detailed questions can force them to be more articulate and back up their positions with evidence. It’s important to be respectful when asking these questions, but do not be afraid to ask specific questions about their sources, facts, or experiences.

By doing so, you can drive more productive and evidence-based conversations. It’s also okay to confront people who know everything about their expertise or authority, as this can help build a more balanced dialogue and stop the spread of misinformation. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage more thoughtful and respectful conversation, even when dealing with know-it-alls.

12. Remember not to take their behavior personally.

While their need to correct misinformation may seem to be a challenge to your authority or self-esteem, it is vital to recognize that know-it-alls often find themselves helping out by providing information or correcting others. In this situation, try to take a few deep breaths or take a moment to think before responding, to avoid saying something offensive that will only make things worse.

It’s also important to remember that know-it-alls do not all the time think of others as stupid or uneducated; they may not have learned the difference between presenting facts and sharing an opinion. By remaining calm and not taking their responses personally, you can potentially defuse the situation and encourage a more productive conversation. Ultimately, the goal is to work towards a more respectful and collaborative relationship with the know-it-all.

13. When dealing with know-it-alls, it is vital to choose your battles carefully.

Not every response by a know-it-all deserves a response, as it can be tiring and stressful. Instead, try to move forward by ignoring them or simply accepting their suggestions with a polite response, such as “thanks for the suggestion.”

Before responding, ask yourself if the situation is distressing enough to warrant a response. This can be a very important question to ask if you end up getting emotional, as it can help you regain perspective and choose whether engaging with a know-it-all might be productive or harmful. By being selective in your responses, you can potentially avoid getting dragged into unproductive arguments and focus on more important things.

14. Maintain your sense of humor and avoid confrontation.

Smile, take deep breaths, and avoid sarcasm (2) can help keep the conversation from being aggressive and let you relieve frustration without further worry. However, if you find it difficult to smile or laugh at the situation, it may help to take a step back and look at the situation from the audience’s standpoint.

This can help you reframe the situation in a way that makes it less frustrating and more humorous. Even a fake smile can help release endorphins and lift your mood. By putting yourself in a happier state of mind, it is going to be easier to maintain your sense of humor in times of trouble.

15. If you find that none of the strategies for dealing with know-it-alls work, maybe you should avoid them.

This can include not asking them out, avoiding their favourite places, and not responding to their phone calls or emails. While this approach may seem cruel, it is vital to prioritize your own sanity and well-being.

If you work with know-it-alls and cannot utterly avoid them, you may need to find ways to limit your interactions with them. This could involve pretending you did not hear them, smiling politely and not responding, or leaving the area when you know they’re approaching.

Changing the subject to something they are not interested in or cutting them off when they try to reply can even help communicate that you are not interested in engaging with them. Ultimately, the goal is to find ways to limit the negative impact of a know-it-all in your life, while still maintaining respect and decency.

Dealing with know-it-alls can be challenging, but there are numerous strategies that can be effective.

It’s important to try to understand where know-it-alls come from, and to show respect for their opinions and expertise. At the same time, it is also important to be assertive and set boundaries to stop them from dominating the conversation or undermining your confidence.

Strategies such as asking probing questions, using truisms to counter their responses, and repeating your own position can be effective in limiting negative impact. It’s also important to prioritize your own mental health and wellbeing by choosing your battles wisely, avoiding confrontation, and maintaining a sense of humor.

If all else fails, it may be essential to avoid the know-it-all altogether.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read my article on how to deal with everybody. I actually hope that its content has been of good help to you.