Years ago, I worked for Canon USA. Their slogan at the time was Know How. My Dad joked that I should get a shirt that said Canon, Know It All and see if anyone noticed.

About this same time, I was speaking with a business owner who claimed he knew everything about human resource compliance and risk management as a result of working for a certain big box retailer for five years.

Of course, when I hear someone that says they know everything they need to know, I immediately start asking questions. I am amazed that someone could know everything about a subject with no need to learn more. I figure, if they know everything there is to know then I better take heed.

As I spoke more with this business owner, I found out that he never worked in human resources a day in his life. His knowledge was purely observational. In fact, the more he talked, the more I started to question whether or not he actually knew anything at all.

When I meet with anyone that seems to know everything he thinks he needs to know, I start to wonder what he is missing. When I have an employee that has that attitude, I wonder how long that employee will be employed with me.

I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt before I make a judgment that they aren't really willing to learn. I try to teach. Sometimes, I'll ask certain questions with the only purpose of testing their knowledge.

Because I have a tendency to come across as a know-it-all myself, I try to question myself when someone asks, "Are you sure?" I try to be willing to ask for more help more quickly. It's been a very positive thing both in terms of my learning more as well as my relationship with others around me.

Take the time to learn all you can. Don't discount what others have to offer. You never know what you might learn.