Why You Should Start Saying “I Don’t Know” More at Work

As a leader, you’re often expected to have all the answers. Your team looks to you for guidance, expertise, and direction. But let’s be real — no one, no matter how experienced or capable, has all the answers. And here’s the thing: admitting that can actually make you a better leader.

In fact, learning to say “I don’t know” is one of the most underrated yet powerful leadership tools. So when you’re faced with a question you don’t have the answer to — what do you do? You’ve got a few options:

• Make something up and hope no one catches on
• Say what you do know and try to fill in the gaps
• Say you don’t know
• Change the subject and steer the conversation away

It’s tempting to avoid saying “I don’t know,” especially when you feel the pressure to be the person with all the answers. But let’s talk about why embracing those three words can actually be a game-changer for your leadership style.

The Consequences of Pretending to Know

Let’s play out the scenario where you pretend to know something you don’t. Sure, it might save face in the moment, but it can lead to some serious consequences down the line:

• Loss of trust: Your team will…