When was the last time that you said “I don’t know” out loud? You know you don’t know the answer, but yet, you find yourself stating your best guess or your opinion. Why does this happen to leaders? Why isn’t it okay to just say that you don’t know? Leaders seem to have this internal shift that happens when they get the title. They feel that they need to have the answers whenever anyone asks them a question, even when they have no idea. The truth is that no one has all the answers. Just imagine how freeing it would be if you just let go of that unrealistic expectation of having all the answers!
What you need to realize is that when you are a leader, you have a big responsibility. People take what you say as the truth, simply because you have a title. They believe that what you said must be right and start repeating it to others or begin executing on what you gave as direction. What if you were just guessing and what you said was completely wrong? Then you or your team is going to have to waste more time addressing the incorrect information and re-communicating the right answer. This pattern of just saying whatever you think all the time, will eventually cause you to lose the credibility and the respect of those around you. People will stop trusting you. They will have to spend their time verifying what you said before they can feel comfortable acting upon it. Wouldn’t it be simpler for everyone if you just said that you really don’t know?
Letting yourself say “I don’t know” can be challenging, especially if you have always been the one to have all the answers. However, it is one of the best that you can do for yourself and it is very empowering for others. It takes all the burden off of your shoulders, because you get to ask for input from others. You get to collaborate and identify ideas that will be better than yours alone. It shows that you care about the bigger picture and puts the focus on the group to come up with the best answer. It also gives your team a chance to shine in front of others. Here are a few ways to try asking the questions at your next opportunity: “I don’t know, what do you think?” or “I don’t know, does the group have any ideas?” You will immediately create more conversation, empower your team and build more respect by asking these simple questions than you ever would have by making a guess.