Avoid These Words (And Not Just at Work)

Summary

In this insightful video, Adam Savage, a beloved figure in the maker community, addresses the challenge of working with knowledgeable yet condescending individuals. He delves into the nuances of communication, the potential for misunderstanding, and the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace. Adam also shares personal anecdotes and insights from astronaut Katie Coleman's upcoming book, emphasizing the value of patience and empathy when navigating professional relationships. Additionally, he offers career advice to a new salaried illustrator, focusing on workplace dynamics and the pursuit of personal interests within a professional setting.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker appreciates the audience's support and inspiration they've provided over the years.
• 🤔 When dealing with condescending and judgmental individuals, it's important to consider their intent and whether their behavior is emotional or unemotional.
• 🔧 The phrase 'why don't you just' can be insulting and should be avoided unless everyone is facing the exact same problem.
• 👥 Working with someone knowledgeable but condescending can be challenging, especially when trying to correct their approach.
• 🧐 It's crucial to assess whether a condescending person is on the autism spectrum or if they are emotionally invested in their judgment.
• 🚀 The speaker mentions astronaut Katie Coleman's experiences and her upcoming book, which discusses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field.
• 💼 For new salaried employees, it's advised to pay attention to the work environment and express interest in areas that might align with personal passions.
• 👂 Listening to and learning from others at work can open up opportunities, but one should not be overly insistent or annoying about it.
• 🤝 Being pleasant to work with is valuable; understanding and avoiding behaviors that make others difficult to work with is good practice.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering how one wants work to feel and the energy it should consume in one's life.
• 🙏 Concentrating on what's important to you through prayer or reflection can be a powerful practice for achieving career and life goals.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script regarding working with a knowledgeable person?

The main issue discussed is dealing with a knowledgeable person who can come off as condescending and judgmental of others' work, especially when it's not done in the way they would have done it.

What phrase does the speaker mention as potentially insulting in the script?

The phrase 'why don't you just' is mentioned as potentially insulting, as it can imply that the person being addressed has overlooked something obvious.

What is the speaker's suggestion on how to approach working with someone who is condescending and judgmental?

The speaker suggests being careful and considering whether the person is on the spectrum or neurodivergent, and whether their condescension is emotional or not, as this can affect how to work around them.

What does the speaker imply about people who are condescending and judgmental about the right way to do something?

The speaker implies that such people might be difficult to redirect when they are doing something wrong, and it could be challenging to change their usual approach.

What advice does the speaker give to someone starting their first salaried job?

The speaker advises paying attention to the work environment, being interested in aspects of the job, and working hard to be nice to work with, while also considering why some people might be hard to work with.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of knowing what you desire in a career?

The speaker suggests that knowing what you desire in terms of how work should feel and the energy it should take is important, even if you might not be able to achieve it.

What is the significance of the book mentioned by the speaker in relation to the script's theme?

The book by astronaut Katie Coleman discusses the difficulties of being a woman in space, which parallels the challenges of working with condescending and judgmental individuals, as both require navigating difficult interpersonal dynamics.

What is the speaker's view on the phrase 'why don't you just' in the context of problem-solving?

The speaker views the phrase as potentially insulting and suggests that it should be eliminated from our vocabulary unless everyone is facing the same problem simultaneously.

How does the speaker relate the experience of working with an expert on a television show to working with a condescending person?

The speaker relates the experience by describing how they had to slowly lead an expert to a solution without directly telling them what to do, which is similar to working with a condescending person where direct confrontation might not be effective.

What is the advice given by the speaker for someone who has just landed their first salaried job as an illustrator?

The advice includes observing the work environment, identifying interests within the job, expressing interest without being a bore, and working hard to be pleasant to work with.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of daily concentration on something important in one's life?

The speaker suggests that daily concentration on something important is a powerful practice, akin to prayer, that can help in achieving one's desires or goals.