When You DON'T KNOW the Answer — How to say 'I don't know' with confidence

“I don’t know.” When you don’t know the answer to a question, you probably wonder how to say ‘I don’t know’ without sounding incompetent or ignorant, especially during a meeting or after a presentation.

In this video, I offer 4 ways to say ‘I don’t know’ when you don’t know the answer… all while sounding professional and competent. First, let’s address this question: Is it ever OK to say, ‘I don’t know’? YES. Your choice of words and the tone you use will make all the difference.

⇢ Let’s redefine the words ‘I don’t know’ to ‘I don’t have that information’. Once you change your perspective that saying ‘I don’t know’ is NOT a sign of weakness, we can move on to 4 ways to structure your answer.

⇢ In structuring your answers to tough questions, you have a simple goal: KEEP THE CONVERSATION MOVING.

▶ Here are 4 tactics to say ‘I don’t know’ with confidence:

1. FOLLOW UP: This is where you don’t know the answer, but you’ll know in the future. Make a promise to follow up.
2. REDIRECT: This is where you recommend someone else to answer the question
3. INFORMED GUESS: By using prompts such as, “based on what I know…” you make an informed guess about the answer, while adding value and offering relevant information
4. REFRAME QUESTION: When you’re asked open-ended, abstract question, instead of saying, “I don’t know,” simply reframe the question so as to make it more coherent. Use the prompt, “If I understand correctly, you’d like to know…” followed by your reframed question.

I hope that these 4 tactics help you answer questions when you don’t know the answer.

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[floatingfortress]

Thank you very much for this video. I recently got hired as a cashier at a high-end, luxury grocery store downtown. Every shift I get asked questions from customers and team members to which I don't have the information. After watching this video, however, I have 4 tactics to add to my tool belt for providing exceptional customer service. Now it's a matter of implementing them in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment where I don't have time to stall and formulate an answer. Gotta keep the ball rolling and the conversation moving just like you said in the video.

[jamir]

Wow. Well informed video... I have interview in the coming weeks . I hope to used these tips when in need . Cheers

[jajasaria]

I like the vibes of your video. full of energy and easy to follow. thank you

[abhay]

This was super amazing ! thank you for sharing this. It helped a lott

[lat.k]

Nice- thanks for sharing. Love that there were examples👍🏽

[RETIREDRobloxian]

In class: so what's the answer?
Me: I don't have the exact answer for you right now, but I probably won't understand it at the end of the lesson either. Come back to me at the end of class, but please don't. Since you're going to ask me again, I'm not sure I have the exact numbers but based on your fifty drawings I'm assuming you add some numbers and subtract them.... if I understand correctly, you'd like to know if Bobby had 50 apples and Timmy had 60 bananas, at what point do train A and train B arrive at X?

[xtianmazo]

Big help for me. Thank you for your advice

[huh]

I've been saying this alot in my assignments😢