How to Say 'I don't know' w/ Credibility

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Is it okay to say "I don't know" to a question after a presentation or in a meeting? Ultra-confident people handle "I don't know" in one of three ways. Learn how to say it without losing your credibility.

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Perfect. I work in Medical and patients really appreciate it when you don't bullshit them

xaby
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I was a linguistics teacher for 20 years, and saying I don't know but I will look it up was my go to strategy and so often the next week the students were surprised that I would come back to the question, because they'd thought it was BS at first. Replying truthfully was a consequence of a more general rule "Don't BS your students", and I encouraged them to think and to ask questions, which you can't do if you are not honest with them.

majawn
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I work in law. 'I don't know' is PARAMOUNT. The state of the law on any given matter is always changing. 'I don't know, but let's find out' is always my answer, even if I think I do know.
I am always suspicious of people who cannot say 'I don't know.' In a way they are dangerous from a basis aspect.

nancyzehr
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Bravo, great advice.
Practice integrity and candor and you free yourself from the chains that dishonesty invariably creates.

eddieallen
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Totally great advice!! Honesty, humility, transparency and genuine professionalism is the BEST policy -- not BS. Thank you, Alex. ❤

cherylecooper
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Thank you! So either 1) follow-up, 2) redirect to another expert, or 3) redirect your expertise.

cloudyclo
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"That's a good question. Does anyone else have a question."

oscargrouch
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Apparently, you have not been to Southeast Asia. Over there, the biggest worry is "losing face". Advice: Don't ever ask for directions over there. They will send you on a wild goose chase instead of saying "I don't know"!

michiganspencer
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Hi, great advice integrity, and humility, you are an eminent person in your profession.

starffgamer
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What about replacing the phrase "I don't know" with another phrase, but the rest is kept the same.
For example: Good question, I don't have those figures with me now, but.." or "Thank you for the question, but that goes beyond the scope of / we don't have time to cover that, ..."
Basically, I'm wondering if you have alternative phrases to "I don't know."
Many clients seem keen on avoiding that phrase entirely.

bluemonk
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Depending on the situation I say “I’m not certain about that. I want you to have the most accurate information.” Then I’d refer them to someone or follow up with an answer.

Glass_bean.warriorcats
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I used to have a couple tests for new hires that they didn't even know were tests. If they knew, and did them right, or didn't do and said why, that was an "A". If they actually tried, came back, asked how to do it, that was and "A" too. One guy flipped me the bird because he knew that it was a test, and not possible. 🤣 Any of the above, I'd talk to them and start showing them the ropes. Let them know subtly that I wouldn't just mess with them, I'd litterally say that was a test and you passed.
If they B.S.'d and said they did them, one of them literally couldn't, I'd put them on the spot. Make sure something wasn't miscomunicated. If to they understood and just lied, I wouldn't even try to get to know them, because I knew I'd have to fire them.

It was dangerous work sometimes, no room to let someone hurt themself over not knowing.

ricksanchez
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A customer screamed at me as to why her date of birth was incorrect on her account. I told her that I did not know, but if she spoke to a certain person they could get that fixed. That woman screamed louder about how stupid I was for not knowing. It was not my department.

kathleen
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I like saying I don't know, and then I send them to some who makes more money.

robertbeckler
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I just found out I use the 3rd one often😭

laeebcitycenter
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Throwing that “but” in there could be problematic, no? Whenever you present a contrast the audience will often view it as negative.

Better of saying, I don’t know - here’s what I do know. Skip the big go create the contrast without the interjection.

racegod
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Another thing to do is to start your answer by saying "That is a great question."
Sounds like you not knowing the answer is partially due to the intelligence of the person asking the question.

ElisabethBoelen
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Good advice, but here's some unsolicited (the best kind) of advice: the forced smiles and excessive hand motions come off as mildly cringy. Communicate in a way you're comfortable instead of how you're "supposed" to act.

jamesdavis