It all started with the BIG question on the table. When those subject matter experts drive you bananas, what do you do about it? This Coffee Chat got real about the messy, human side of working with subject matter experts. We opened by asking the group about their main struggles, and the honesty flowed immediately: "Can't I just do it all myself?" One person pointed out that whether or not the SME was voluntold matters—being your subject matter expert isn't their day job, and we may very well be a disruption in their life, not a welcome addition. The relationship dynamic shifts depending on whether they feel grateful for the support or resentful of the extra work. We dug into the ghosting problem—the SME who doesn't answer emails, skips meetings, and leaves you high and dry. The group's advice ranged from practical to hilarious: escalate to whoever nominated them, but only after genuine effort; "stalk them on Teams" with friendly persistence; bring snacks (never underestimate a Starbucks gift card); or simply state the facts plainly—here's the deadline, here's the risk to the project if we don't get your input. One participant made a sharp point: sometimes the ghosting isn't laziness, it's fear of judgment or imposter syndrome. Understanding the "why" changes how you approach the "what now." The over-sharer got equal airtime—the SME who wants to dump a 100-page document with everything they know. The fix? Ask the right question: what does a new hire actually need to know on day one, five, and thirty? Several people are now using AI to synthesize massive information dumps and spot the gaps, though with a clear caution about redacting sensitive company data first. And when you're not sure if you've captured the right content, bring in a second or third perspective—not to undercut the SME, but to build consensus and credibility. As one participant put it, getting multiple voices to align makes the final product look more collaborative and trustworthy. The conversation turned to building real trust with SMEs over time. Make them the star—record their stories, use their voice for narration, credit their contributions by name. Give them ownership over small pieces so they feel invested. Written appreciation that can go into a performance review carries real weight, and yes, food works too (never underestimate a $5 Starbucks card). The throughline: nurture the relationship before you need something, not just when you're in crisis mode. The takeaway? Subject matter experts aren't the enemy—they're human, stretched thin, and often doing their best with information overload of their own. Get specific about what you need and when you need it. Be a shape-shifter depending on who you're talking to. And remember that clear, kind communication beats vague niceties every time—"at your earliest convenience" means nothing when you actually need an answer today. So how are you building trust with your subject matter experts this week? Stay curious! -Shannon Video VimeoCoffee Chat: My SME is Driving Me Bananas! Transcript Summary Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/20... Transcript: OtterOtter Voice Meeting Notes Chat Box: Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/20... Resources: Learning Rebels Blog: 6 Tactics to Successfully Work With Subject Matter Experts Learningrebels6 Tactics to Successfully Work with Subject Matter Experts - Learning Rebels Shannon Tipton Leaning Rebels PDF: The SME Situation Guide - Say This, Not That Learningrebelslearningrebels.com/wp-content/uploads/20... Books: Valued: The Six Coaching Habits That Turn SME Into Enthusiastic Talent Developers AAmazon.com: Valued: The Six Coaching Habits That Turn Subject Matter Experts Into Enthusiastic Talent Developers eBook : Dickerson, Matthew, Toomer, Jerry: Kindle Store The Accidental Instructional Designer by Cammy Bean AThe Accidental Instructional Designer, 2nd Edition: Learning Design for the Digital Age: Bean, Cammy: 9781953946591: Amazon.com: Books Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen ADesign for How People Learn (Voices That Matter): Dirksen, Julie: 9780134211282: Amazon.com: Books Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson and co-authors ACrucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition: Grenny: 9781260474183: Amazon.com: Books Join the conversation Be part of the live chat! Sign up here. Hire Learning Rebels When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more Host: Shannon Tipton Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions
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