My definition of idiots are quite broad.
But in generally it covers people who are difficult for no apparent reason, unfriendly, and difficult to handle.
Here are my favourite way of dealing with idiots.
- If I don't have to answer to them or deal with them on a daily basis and I'm not dependent on them: Ignore the hell out of them. Don't even talk to them.
- If I work with them and its completely unbearable, either push that person away so he needs to find himself a new job, can be a lenghty process and might not work, or just quit myself.
- Just endure the presence of the idiot until I no longer have to deal with that person, be it a flight, a meeting or a project job.
- If forced to deal with an idiot, and I've either somehow managed to become 'enemies' with that person previously, or my efforts to actually have things done and to demand actions are perceived as hostile, and the other person is just being a no-go, then I try to be polite and factual in all communications, and if it just doesn't help, I put in a wrench to gain leverage, be it contacting a supervisor, an overseeing authority or anyone else that has some power over this person, also peer pressure, letting others know what this person is doing might help. That could backfire as well as it could be considered me being a rat. But if the communication consistently is bad and in bad faith, I document everything, so I can prove what's going on if I have to complain to someone. But if I can and the issue at hand is not worth fighting for, I dismiss the entire situation, and rather spend my time productively on something else. Sometimes fighting for something is not worth it, as the payout cannot justify the effort.
Usually I just like logic and saying things straightforward, but add a dash of social IQ to it, but many people have a big problem dealing with honest criticism and things that are in general not good, and if you attack such people in any way, they're usually quick to go into defense mode, and then the case is most often completely dead.
I've also noticed that being angry or attacking is seldom solving a case at all, even though many people, esp. those employed somewhere, are supposed to be professional and handle criticism in a professional manner. Nothing is more annoying than knowing you're right, and then speaking to some drone that claims something else, or just makes up things of thin air.
But in general I think it's wise not to take things personal, as it will wreck your mood pretty much, but it can be difficult at times, esp. when there are things you're trying to solve, and you're dependent on other people to have it solved, and they're just not helping to make it happen. And some of those people, if you complain about their conduct, they just start stonewalling you and nothing happens, even if its against the service statement where they're employed. The end result is that you waste a lot of time and energy trying to solve a simple issue, but it becomes overly complicated because of people - I guess you call that bureaucracy.
A good way to handle idiots on call centers is btw to just hang up and call again, repeat until you have someone on the line that actually acts like a human. Those acting in bad faith, will only unwillingly help, and in the process they will cause a lot of mayhem.
One thing that works with officials however is the law. If you can point to a certain piece of law, they're bound by that - and need to act, or else they're violating their job description, and will rightfully be reprimanded by a superior, but they will very seldom be sacked, so after a little while its business as usual again..
So... what's your favourite way of dealing with idiots?
