Dealing with Geniuses

[Jogeephus]

Have you ever known someone who was so smart you might mistakenly think they were an idiot? What is the best way to deal with someone like this? I'm doing some work for a fella right now who I'm afraid I'm going to T off if I don't get some guidance. To keep from going into specifics I'll give you a fictitional example of what I'm dealing with.

Brainchild, "So how much would it cost me if I buy a cow and have it shipped to Colorado?"

Whippingboy, "Well, right now it will cost you $3.00 a loaded mile for freight and the cost of the animal will depend on what you buy and how much it weighs".

Brainchild, "I seriously thinking about possibly definitely maybe doing that next year so how bout putting that quote in writing so I can reference it next year or the year after"

Whippingboy, "OK". (Based on today's prices for fuel and cattle it will cost you X. However, these figures are liable to change but this should give you an approximate idea.)

Brainchild, "I think I need further clarification on this. Would you please send me a letter with this as the only subject matter and clarify this in writing".

Whippingboy, "Sure". Letter reads, based on today's prices of fuel, assuming all things remain equal, we can ship your cow to Colorado for $3.00 per loaded mile and the cost of the cow will depend on what you chose to buy. Attached is a sales sheet depicting what cattle are selling for today. Assuming nothing changes, this should give you an idea as to what it will cost today. However, the market is volatile and apt to change by next year as are fuel prices."

Brainchild replies, "I really need something more concrete than that cause of my planning and cost projections for my spreadsheet"

Whippingboy, "I don't understand what you do not understand about $3.00 per mile. If fuel goes up, this will increase. If it goes down it will decrease. If the cattle market goes up it will increase if it goes down it will decrease. Please clarify what you are asking."

Now after three months of disecting this one topic we are still at square one. I mean, unless I'm facing the electric chair, my yes is a yes and my no is a no. So why ask me to be specific on something that is controlled by as many factors as Liz Taylor has had face lifts? Do you want to make a liar out of me? Or does Brainchild think I'm that dang smart. If so, he's dumber than a turd cause if I could give definitive answers to these questions does he actually think I'd be a Whippingboy. Heck NO. I'd be the ruler of the world!

 

[skyline]

Jogee, at this point, I'd be concerned about his ability to prepare and sign a check... Perhaps its time to move on?

 

[Alice]

Mr. Jogeefus,

I think I know where you're headed with this. But, just to make certain, condense this a little, will ya'? I only got thru the first paragraph. Angie and I are doing shots right now and I'm having a hard time deciphering anything past the first paragraph.

Alice

 

[larryshoat]

No common sense I suppose . I would ask for some objective proof of his superior cognitive function .
Generally speaking people with a high IQ don't have trouble "getting it" . We have a guy at church that before every meeting he must get out his dictionary and look for some obscure word so he can ask everybody if they know what it means . To me it makes him look pretentous and silly, not smart .

Larry

 

[Alice]

No common sense I suppose . I would ask for some objective proof of his superior cognitive function .
Generally speaking people with a high IQ don't have trouble "getting it" . We have a guy at church that before every meeting he must get out his dictionary and look for some obscure word so he can ask everybody if they know what it means . To me it makes him look pretentous and silly, not smart .

Larry

Larry,

Don't ya' love 'em...and don't ya' love knowing most people think the way you do? :banana:

Thank you for letting me know pretty much what this was all about, BTW...

Alice

 

[I luv herfrds]

Jo that sounds so much like a girl I knew years ago. Book smart. 4.0 gpa. You name it, but when it came to common sense she couldn't blow her nose without a manual.
Walk away now, because this person will drive you insane if you keep trying to explain things to them. They want it in concrete, but it can't be delivered.
Better yet, RUN JO RUN!!!!!

 

[Jogeephus]

Well I'm too far in to turn back. Thing is all the numbers are sound today. He is very pleased with them and he and I both are looking to come out with some change in our pockets. The problem as I see it is he is getting hung up on a number that neither of us have any control over. This number is insignificant in the scope of things and I have already got a sound alternative if this number gets out of whack. What is significant is the rising fuel prices. We stand to lose more money today if this happens than if it happens six months from now. Also, the outcome of the election will probably have a tremendous impact on the tax consequences. He seems to be worried about paying any taxes. I'm not. I don't like paying them but I would rather pay them than to lose money in an attempt to avoid them. (of course if any of you know how to safely keep from paying them I'm all ears :lol2: :lol2: )

I don't know if I should take a stern approach and flatly lay the facts out as I see it or just continue on the present course. Afterall, I'm just the Whippingboy and he stands to lose much more than I do.

 

[Txwalt]

I work with a guy that is kinda like this. He is somewhat new. He has a bad habit of asking you a question, after you answer him he says "I know that" and asks the same damn question again. I thought I was having hearing problems until a couple other co-workers said they were having the same issue with him.

Walt

 

[Jogeephus]

I don't know this guy very well but I can tell when he sweats he is in a gym. I'm wondering if he doesn't just like to "discuss things". I'm more of a doer. Give me a job and I'll do it and I'll make it look easy. Don't ask, don't check on me, just leave me alone to my work and it will be done. I'm wondering if this is not the case with him. Maybe he's wanting to get a paper cut or something so he can feel he has worked for it. Took me two solid months but I got everything ready to go and in one day's time it will be a done deal.

 

[hillrancher]

Jogee. I just pull up from a job today we bid it about 11 month ago. We pulled in to it the wife came out stated to ask question about the materials and why we choose this type among other off the wall questions, we had discussed before. Told her I had to be retired by September I had to move on to meat that date.

 

[Jogeephus]

Jogee. I just pull up from a job today we bid it about 11 month ago. We pulled in to it the wife came out stated to ask question about the materials and why we choose this type among other off the wall questions, we had discussed before. Told her I had to be retired by September I had to move on to meat that date.

Don't you just hate it when everything has been layed out, explained and agreed upon and then someone comes up with trivial stuff like that. Probably some "expert" at the salon edumacated her. ;-) Next she'll be telling you how to do everything.

I'm with you. I move on. Might leave the iron on the fire but I gotta move on.

 

[Lammie]

I think that you need to speak plainly to this guy and tell him that you know that he knows that you cannot nail down a number for anything except future use because of variations in the cost of fuel and whatever else you are figuring on. Tell him it can't be done like that, period.

My daddy calls this "book smarts". I call it slightly autistic, but that's the business I have been in. Ask bachoeboogie. He's an engineer. He works with guys like this, I think.

I don't know if he thinks he's so smart or if he thinks you are so dumb. Or if just isn't wired correctly.

 

[Jogeephus]

Thanks. I guess its a mute point now as I just got word this morning that I finally "provided him with the data he needed". Its the exact same numbers I gave him in at least 5 other letters. :roll: I know they are exact cause I used the copy/paste feature in Word to save time.

I know he is not dumb, I know he doesn't think I'm dumb, its just got to be something to do with his ability to process information. Too sharp a pencil, too narrow of a view on things or something else. Kinda frustrating to say the least. I don't know if he has children but if he does I imagine it took him a long time discussing how best to conceive them. ;-)

Anybody know what diesel prices will be on September 7th of 2010 at 3:33 p.m? ;-) :lol2: :lol2:

 

[skyline]

I think that you need to speak plainly to this guy and tell him that you know that he knows that you cannot nail down a number for anything except future use because of variations in the cost of fuel and whatever else you are figuring on. Tell him it can't be done like that, period.

My daddy calls this "book smarts". I call it slightly autistic, but that's the business I have been in. Ask bachoeboogie. He's an engineer. He works with guys like this, I think.

I don't know if he thinks he's so smart or if he thinks you are so dumb. Or if just isn't wired correctly.

I deal with folks like this quite often. They seem to flock to places where they can review other peoples work, like plan reviewers for state and federal agencies. :?

 

[Bluestem]

You need to conclude the sale. Put a time limit on your price (good for thirty days for example). Put him in the hot seat. Start finding another sale prospect, this one most likely won't happen.

 

[bigbull338]

that dude just dont got no horse sense at to what it cost to haul cattle.you gave him a good solid hauling bid.an if he dont understand that he dont need tobe buying any cows.is he buying reg cows or just plain stock cows.he is going to have alot in hauling for 1 cow.id say the hauling bid is just good for 1 week.

 

[grannysoo]

You need to conclude the sale. Put a time limit on your price (good for thirty days for example). Put him in the hot seat. Start finding another sale prospect, this one most likely won't happen.

In my opinion, this is good advice. Anything I quote for sale has a 30 day limit on the price. If you want another price after that, ask me 30 days from now.

Do ya thunk this guy could pour pi$$ out of a boot with the instructions on the bottom? Some are so smart they are stupid...

 

[angie1]

Mr. Jogeefus,

I think I know where you're headed with this. But, just to make certain, condense this a little, will ya'? I only got thru the first paragraph. Angie and I are doing shots right now and I'm having a hard time deciphering anything past the first paragraph.

Alice

Alice?
Is that you?
Where am I?
Why are you wearing spurs?

 

[Lammie]

Not to mention the tatoos and piercings...

 

[angie1]

Not to mention the tatoos and piercings...

:lol2:
Hate it when that happens! :help: