Can You Say “I Don’t Know?”
You are sitting at a large conference table with a bunch of influential people in your company and a question is aimed directly at you.
You freeze, because…. you don’t know the answer.
Do you start the tap dance or do say, “I don’t know?”
Remember the old adage, “If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember anything?”
I am not a good dancer, so I have learned to tell it as it is and say, “I don’t know.” Sometimes the qualifier is “But I will find out.” Other times it is “No, I do not and I apologize, I should know that.”
Don’t get me wrong. You can’t get far if you say “I don’t know” too often. You should be as prepared to answer questions with confidence, even if they come out of left field. Even if your response isn’t popular, if it is accurate, it is the right response.
Answer boldly.
Have a great weekend.
Comment by Jim Adkins
Personally, I like to respond with; “Uh, yes, of course I know. I’m rather shocked that you have to ask me for that information. Actually, I’ve grown weary of your repeated requests for answers to questions, which, quite frankly, no person in your position should have to be asking. Please, don’t make me rethink my employment with this institution. After all, if you are asking me ‘that’, then you certainly can’t afford to lose me as an employee…”
Comment by ericb
politically a bit of a gamble, huh?