Saturday, September 16, 2023
Have you encountered the people who have to make additional comments when you’re doing a workshop? They have to add their experiences, or point out resources they think everyone else should know about (no matter how irrelevant)? I call this habit “trying to be the second smartest person in the room.” They often derail conversations and slow down progress by trying to demonstrate how bright they are. I usually allow two such interruptions, and the third time I “request” this: “Can you add your suggestion during break or off-line, so that we can move more quickly?” I don’t wait for a response, and just move on.
Occasionally, there’s a “second smartest person in the room” contest, where a couple of people are vying for the honors! In that case I call an early break, get them aside, tell them I’m working alone and there is no faculty. If they choose to leave, I don’t care, live or virtual.