The Power of “I Don’t Know”

I used to think saying I don't know made me look stupid until it completely changed my career.

Three years into my job I was in this meeting with executives and they asked my opinion

on a major strategy shift. Everyone around the table had something smart to say.

Charts. Data. Confident predictions. My turn came and my mind went blank.

I could have made something up. Could have nodded along with whatever sounded good.

Instead I said the three words I'd been avoiding my entire professional life.

I don't know. The room went silent. I thought I just tanked my career right there.

But then the CEO leaned forward and said that was the most honest thing anyone had said