"If You Don't Know The Answer, Don't Guess!"

Photo by Kane Reinholdtsen on Unsplash

I’ve always wanted to have all of the answers. I’ve always wanted to be that guy who knows what’s happening, has a clear and cogent explanation, and can provide my point of view on the spot.

But that can’t always be the case. Nobody can have all the answers - not me, not you. And, really, there’s no issue with that.

Where the issue does arise, though, is when I try and speak with authority when I have none. When I try and provide answers when I simply don’t know. Even when the questions are in my area of expertise but I simply don’t have the data, and I still try and guess.

That’s a problem. That’s what gets me in trouble. I’m not alone in that, of course - it happens to the best of us. 

And I think the root of the issue is that we think not giving an answer on the spot is a sign of weakness. That we’ll be judged if we don’t respond. That saying something is better than saying nothing. The root of the issue is, in other words, insecurity.

Whenever I’ve tried that approach, when I’ve given in to that insecurity, it’s invariably backfired. I get found out more often than not. 

What I’ve learned is that it’s better to simply stop, think and if I don’t know, I shouldn’t guess at the answer. 

Better to just say, that’s a good question, but I don’t have enough information to be able to give the answer you deserve. Let me come back to you. 

There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s a helpful approach for us all.

In fact, you might even get a reputation for being someone who thinks before they talk. Who won’t make stuff up. Who won’t give a bullshit answer. 

Nothing wrong with that at all.