Thank You for the Input, Now Go Do Your Own Job!

What is a professional, neighborly and tactful way to get the neighborhood or work environment busybody back to work and quit distracting you? You all know the person I am talking about, they never seem to have enough time for you or your request, but sure as heck can tell you what needs to be done and how! Am I right on this?

Ok, here are my 10 tactful methods you can use to get your message across to this type of person:

Ask the person;
1. Why are you concerned about that subject or task?
2. What are you currently doing to support the task or information you are asking about?
3. How will this information be of value to you and utilized you?
4. Ask them to go and get information, or divert an actionable task back to them if possible.
5. If the person asks general questions about a task or subject you know that is outside of their scope, you can respond with "I do not think those questions or actions are information that you would find helpful."
6. If there are areas that you think some assistance is warranted, go and talk to the manager, or team leader about it.
7. If the diversions caused by this person become uncontrollable, go and speak to your manager or team leader about the issues created by this person and seek their input situational resolution.
8. Tell the person asking you don't know; please go see the person in charge or in management.
9. When true and appropriate, tell them they do not have a need to know or I can not comment on that.
10. If all else fails, tell the person you do not think they are in a position to request that information or assistance from you. If they persist, offer to review with your manager or team leader.

Everyday we all will come across people that want to be in the know, have to know and tell you what they know. You can not avoid this personality type, as they are very persistent. What you can do is minimize the commotion these personality types create. You do not have to be rude (unless of course the just do not get it) but remain firmly in control. When you are confronted with this type of situation, try to remember and implement one of the 10 methods above, I think you'll be pleased with what transpires. If their persistence prevails and you feel yourself loosing control, take back control and get out of the situation quickly by simply physically walking away.

Good luck and much to success to you.