How to Coach an Employee Who Always Says I Know

Episode 39 of Manager Mondays tackles one of the trickiest people-management scenarios: the direct report who responds to every piece of feedback with 'I know.' Lucas and Luna unpack why this phrase is often a cover for anxiety or perfectionism, not arrogance. They walk through a real-world example from a mid-stage SaaS company where a VP of Engineering had to coach a senior developer whose 'I know' habit was eroding trust with junior team members. The episode offers a concrete three-step framework: pause the pattern with a gentle code word, shift from advice-giving to Socratic questioning, and create a low-stakes space for vulnerability. Lucas shares why labeling the behavior—instead of the person—changes the dynamic, and Luna pushes back on whether this approach works for truly defensive personalities. They land on a practical distinction between protective reflexes and genuine resistance. A focused, actionable episode for any manager who has ever felt a conversation stall on those two words. #ManagerMondays #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Careers #PeopleManagement #TeamLeadership #FirstTimeManager #CoachingSkills #FeedbackCulture #EmotionalIntelligence #DifficultConversations #WorkplaceCommunication #PsychologicalSafety #LeadWithQuestions #GrowthMindset #ManagerTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #SocraticCoaching Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo