My bias is against people who aren’t willing to say I don’t know. We all know someone who is like this…a know it all! I know several people like this and it doesn’t matter if they are male female young or old…and it drives me insane!
I’ve had a couple interactions just within the last week. I have to be alittle vague just incase they read this phlog (I doubt they do but just to be safe and not hurt feelings) The first example was with a colleague, we were having a discussion and he thought that because he is a male and older than me he knew exactly what should be done and that everyone should do it because he said so…ugh! Next example is of this woman I know…only a few years older than me…who thinks she is qualified for a specific job although she has no credentials and little knowledge of what is truly required. But if you ask her a question, she makes her answer (even if its wrong) sound completely correct. Its aggravating because she never listens, never says I don’t know.
There is noting wrong with saying I don’t know….I’ll find out. There is something wrong when your not willing to find out the answer, that’s almost as bad as being a know it all.
Every so often someone in my life points out to that I am not a good listen and that I tend to ramble on about my own problems instead of asking how the other person is doing. I think you made a great point about people needing to be better listeners. As teachers we need pay attention to what is going on around us at times.
ReplyDeleteI think I was a bit of a know it all in high school and that is why some of the other students didn't like me. A person needs to learns how to listen and respond with the attempt to not be acting as if they know it all. And as teachers, not every student is going to have the right answer every time. It is our job to teach them the right skills to find the right answer.
Hey, Meghan. I also have the same problem. I, however, wonder if this is less of a bias and more of a pet peeve.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with Leonard's assessment, here. I mean, who doesn't have a bias against know-it-alls? Regardless, I think that it is helpful to try to figure out how to deal with such people. I, myself, have a hard time admitting when I'm wrong, and when I butt heads with someone equally as stubborn, I sometimes forget to take a step back and compromise.
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