When that guy is digging his pit, don't take away his shovel.

If an update comes before the post is posted, is it a predate?

I wrote what follows a while back, and then thought second thoughts about posting it.  It unsettles my soul to be mean, and I'm thankful for that.

The results didn't sit right, because not handling it better means I failed, and I dislike failing.  I went back to the situation, examined the subject at hand, and found a way to deal with him in a way that encouraged positive outcomes.

You see, he's not a bad guy.  He's just different, as we all are.  Every single one of us has our ways, and other people may not, usually won't, understand them right away.

Part of being professional is finding the way to a positive outcome when working with difficult people.

I found that path with this man, so far.  

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Sometimes, you just have to allow people to have their way, without arguing with them.  What is it Napoleon is reported as saying?  Something like "Never interrupt an enemy when they are making a mistake".... or something close to that.

Enemies?  Yeah... not so much.  I don't really have any that I know of.  

People who I have no fondness of?  Yeah... *those* I have my share of. 

Yesterday one of the latter types made an unforced technical error on a curriculum issue.... and I just shut up and went along with it.  Since he is assigned as a 'lead', I followed his 'lead' on the issue, except I documented my actions and a manager signed off on it.

Now, I would have been happy to help the sad sack understand what he misunderstood about the technical issue, and show him exactly where in the material it explains why he's wrong.... but history with him has proven it's wasted breath.  Even gently pointing out an obvious error, understandable since he's never been a tech, has resulted in attitude and blow back.

Hell... I've had students come to me, book in hand, and ask what the hell he's talking about as they point to material refuting his notions.

So be it sparky.  Now you can explain to the company why you violated policy over lack of subject matter expertise.
 
There are ways to 'lead' which don't involve alienating those who can help you do the job.