"Poor communication skills can
condemn you to a life of mediocrity and
frustration. Good communication skills
can unlock your dreams of success."
Dr. Robert A. Tracz

The Know-It-All

I needed information on how to hook up a tape recorder up through my computer so I could play and convert some old tapes into CDs.

Naturally I went into a computer store to get what I needed.

The young man assisting me told me what I needed to do - in so much detail I felt that I knew less than when I had started.

Obviously he knew his stuff. Not all know-it-alls do. Some are what I call fake know-it-alls - they try to baffle you with... well you know.

Now, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume I was the denser one of the two. The problem was that he couldn't explain it in a simple way so I could follow.

Confused people don't act and they certainly don't buy.

Some overwhelm you with details and facts and would have you believe that they have a vast background of experience and knowledge. They consider themselves experts - on everything - and superior to you and pretty much everyone else.

Your goal with a know-it-all isn't to make him feel bad or to snub him or to put them in their place, it is to get what you need.

Here's what you do:
1. Decide if it really matters. Let him sound off if it's not important.
2. If it is important then reflect back his main points to show that you were listening. This prevents the, "I already told you that." come back.
3. Follow up with specific questions that are prioritized or sequential so it will focus the conversation and your friendly know-it-all can't get going again and fake know-it-alls won't be able to answer them. If the person knows his stuff he'll answer specific questions with specific answers. The fake will speak in generalities and even try to change the subject or move you quickly to a sale.
4. Ask What-if questions that deal with worse case scenarios and possible problems you might face. Ask if you can call him when they do. Even better get him to demonstrate it for you if that's possible.
5. If it appears the person really doesn't know what he's talking about, thank him and ask someone else.

Turns out all I needed was an adapter to plug the RCA plugs of my old tape recorder into the sound card and software that was already installed on my computer.