What’s with the ‘know-it-alls’?

The friend that’s already been there, done that. The co-worker that always knows best. And even the clients that somehow know your business better than you do.

After a few recent run-ins with these types, I’ve been left scratching my head. How can someone be blessed with such misguided self-confidence? Why is outside input so threatening? And why do we sometimes allow these people to get under our skin?

Here’s a recent example.

I have the pleasure to work with a talented group of designers everyday. We put our heads together sharing ideas, research, and our passion for finding solutions that work. It’s usually fun and enlightening.

However, with work overflowing I started poking around in the freelancer community, looking for some extra resources. I was introduced to a new designer and invited her to a project.

The first red flag came quickly with a draft design and this note: “The brand brief is wrong. I have a better idea for your client.” If the note wasn’t bad enough, the draft was worse.

A glutton for punishment, I decided to try and see the project through. I provided input and suggestions for draft #2. Here’s the stunning response: “Hmm … after all I may do another draft, but I am not sure you are the right person for giving feedback, no offense.”

Hmmm… well I am sure you are not the right person for collaborating with…

No one, no matter how talented, can hope to achieve alone what a smart team of people can achieve when they work together.

Collaborate. Listen to each other. Trust your team, your partner your friend. Talk it through. Work it out.

At the end of the day, two (or three) heads are always better than one.

With gratitude,