No one wants to come off as a bumbling idiot, which is why it’s so tempting to pretend we know stuff we don’t in life.
However, there’s power in admitting that something is outside of your realm of knowledge. Not only does it make you more relatable and respectable, it also gives you room to actually learn new things and grow as a person. Here’s why “I don’t know” should be a much bigger part of your lexicon.
1. It demonstrates honesty and integrity.
By saying “I don’t know,” you’re showing that you value truth over pretence. Your honesty helps to build trust with people because they recognise that you’re not willing to bluff or mislead. In the long run, this integrity enhances your credibility and strengthens your relationships, both personally and professionally.
2. It opens the door to learning.
Admitting you don’t know something is the first step towards gaining new knowledge. It creates an opportunity for you to learn and grow. By acknowledging your knowledge gaps, you’re more likely to do some research, ask questions, and expand your understanding. The more you do this, the smarter you become, and that’s a win-win situation.
3. It reduces stress and pressure.
Trying to have all the answers can be incredibly stressful. By allowing yourself to say “I don’t know,” you’re relieving yourself of the pressure to be omniscient. Weirdly enough, it can massively reduce anxiety in various situations, from work meetings to social situations, which then helps you approach conversations and tasks with a calmer, more relaxed mindset.
4. It encourages teamwork.
When you admit you don’t know something, you’re inviting other people to share their knowledge or work together to find a solution. This creates a spirit of collaboration where people feel comfortable pooling their expertise. In turn, this can lead to more innovative ideas and better outcomes than if you had tried to go it alone.
5. It prevents the spread of misinformation.
We have enough fake news out there right now, and saying “I don’t know” when you’re unsure about something helps stop the spread of false or inaccurate information. By refusing to guess or repeat unverified facts, you’re contributing to a more informed and truthful conversation. It’s a much more responsible approach to information sharing, and my goodness, we need a lot more of that in the world.
6. It builds confidence paradoxically.
While it might seem counterintuitive, admitting you don’t know something can actually boost your confidence. It shows that you’re secure enough in yourself to acknowledge your limitations. As a result, your self-assurance often earns respect from the people around you, who appreciate your honesty and humility. Over time, this can lead to increased confidence in your abilities and judgement.
7. It leads to more meaningful conversations.
When you say “I don’t know,” it often prompts deeper, more engaging conversations. Instead of surface-level exchanges based on assumed knowledge, you create space to genuinely explore topics. From there, you can have much more insightful conversations, where everyone involved learns something new and gains fresh perspectives.
8. It helps in decision-making processes.
Acknowledging uncertainty is crucial in making informed decisions. By saying “I don’t know,” you’re highlighting areas where more information or expertise is needed. This can prevent hasty decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information, leading to more thorough analysis and ultimately better outcomes.
9. It models humility for other people.
Using “I don’t know” sets an example of humility that everyone around you can follow. In a world that often rewards bravado, demonstrating that it’s okay not to have all the answers can create a more accepting and less pressured environment. It can be especially impressive if you’re in a leadership position, as it’ll encourage a culture of openness and continuous learning.
10. It preserves your energy for what matters.
Pretending to know everything or scrambling to find answers you don’t have can be exhausting. By saying “I don’t know” when you don’t, you’re conserving your mental and emotional energy for tasks and conversations where you can truly add value. Plus, taking a more focused approach helps you to be more effective in areas where your knowledge and skills are strongest.
11. It enhances your listening skills.
When you’re comfortable saying “I don’t know,” you’re more likely to listen attentively to other people. Instead of formulating responses or pretending to understand, you can focus on truly hearing what other people are saying. Active listening leads to better communication and deeper understanding in your personal and professional life, and that’s amazing.
12. It helps manage expectations.
By being upfront about what you don’t know, you help manage other people’s expectations of you. A bit of clarity can prevent misunderstandings and disappointments down the line. Not only that, but it allows you to set realistic boundaries and ensures that people don’t rely on you for knowledge or skills you don’t possess.
13. It encourages critical thinking.
Saying “I don’t know” often prompts you to think more critically about a topic. Instead of accepting information at face value, you’re more likely to question assumptions, look for evidence, and explore different perspectives. A more analytical approach can lead to better understanding and problem-solving skills.
14. It creates a growth mindset.
Embracing “I don’t know” aligns with a growth mindset – the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed. By acknowledging what you don’t know, you’re implicitly recognising that there’s room for growth and learning. This attitude can drive personal development and help you overcome challenges more effectively.
15. It improves your professional reputation.
In many professional settings, admitting when you don’t know something is viewed more favourably than bluffing or providing the wrong info. It shows integrity and a commitment to accuracy. Over time, this honesty can enhance your professional reputation, as colleagues and superiors come to trust your word and value your input.
16. It creates space for expert input.
When you say “I don’t know,” you’re creating an opportunity for those with relevant expertise to contribute. You’ll have way more informed discussions and decisions as a result, since it allows the right people to share their knowledge. It’s a humble way of ensuring that the best information is brought to the table.
17. It reduces the fear of being wrong.
The more comfortable you become with saying “I don’t know,” the less you’ll fear being wrong. Less fear means more creativity, more willingness to take risks, and greater resilience in the face of failure. By acknowledging uncertainty, you’re giving yourself permission to explore, experiment, and learn without the paralysing fear of making mistakes.
