How I Deal With Gatekeepers
“Gatekeeper” - a person that controls access to something (c) Google.
Usally people talk about gatekeeping when it comes to their job oppotunities, but I’ve got a different topic for today. I want to talk about gatekeeping of the solutions and gatekeeping of the ideas in general.
Who gatekeeps what?
Do you know that “smart” guy who knows everything and for some reason has a final say in every important matter? And when someone proposes solutions, this smart guy finds reasons to discard all of them? And sometimes this is not one guy, but a several having a mutual agreement?
If you are someone whose solutions were discarded then there are two possible categories for you:
- You’re not so smart to understand.
- You’re too smart for this bunch.
From my experience, someone who always puts themselves in the second category, permanently belong in first. But If you’ve found a 3rd category, understood the reasons and feel that you’re not in a wrong, the following is for you.
1. Consider Gains vs Losses
Is it worth for you personally to set everything “the right way”? What is at stake? If the stakes are high - you need to fight. Otherwise I advise against. Consider if soving it gives you more benefits than loses. Especially if it is not your business - after all it’s not your problems and most likely your salary won’t change much even if you push hard.
2. Don’t debate with “smart” people
In most cases if a person poses as an “expert” he might not have a perspective or capacity to understand your ideas. But a 3 month later, when he figures it out on his own - it won’t be yours. The “smart” guy will have a “bright” idea and you’ll be left with “I told you so”, and he will present your solution as “a team effort” or even his own accomplishment.
Always rememeber that in human psy the first step is always rejection, but the following steps won’t be attributed to you. So you need to avoid triggering whatever follows after rejection.
3. Let them burn in 3 steps
- Highlight the problem, but don’t provide the solution. Let the “smart” people to take responsibility, ecnourage them to do the things their way. If your way is better then there’s nothing to worry about - you are just learning from the others’ mistakes.
- Make the “smart” guy to do what he proposes himself, or whoever agrees. There are a lot of yes-man after all. It might be tricky, but you should avoid taking responsibility for the others’ decisions.
- When their endevour fails, present your solution directly to whoever needs it, then take the ownership.
In short - if you believe you’re right, let your opponents to fuck up then solve thier fuck up. You know how to solve it, don’t you?.
If you tried it and never reached the third step, then you’re not so smart after all. In this case - shut up and do your job.
Peace ✌️