When colleagues and clients ask us a question we don’t have the answer to, we often tend to automatically reply “I don’t know”. If you’re lucky, saying this will earn you credit for your honesty, and for not being the type of person who evades an answer when you’re unsure.
But often the truth is that saying you don’t know undermines your professional profile.
So what do you need to say instead? The best strategy is to have a good honest answer that can still impress the person who asks the question.
Here are some professional alternative phrases that you can use to stop you from saying ‘I don’t know’:
- “I would like to research it further and get it back to you.”
Sometimes it is better to postpone our answer until we collect all the information we need. People will highly respect a person who seeks answers and solves problems. This will also increase your level of credibility.
- “That’s exactly what I was looking for to answer!”
This answer is a smart one, particularly if you are still searching for the right answer or information, but are blank when asked. Saying this will show them that you are going to give them the answer they are looking for – maybe not now, but later, definitely.
- “Can you assist me by giving some more information?”
Ask the person for some information, instead. Then gather all the relevant information and start finding the answer. If necessary, seek assistance from experts in your field to get the information you need.
- “Good question. I’ll find out.”
This is a quick, confident, clever answer. It is saying to the questioner that they are smart enough by having curiosity about the issue. And it is also, at the same time, showing that you are interested enough to look for a solutio.
- “Based on what we know today, my thoughts are…”
Often, people ask us to evaluate a situation, such as “What do you think of their response when we send them this report?” or “When can she get back to us?” These questions are sometimes tricky because there is no right or wrong answer to them. The best way is to answer with the known facts and qualify your response as “based on what we know…”.
- “Let me be sure I understand which information you’re looking for…”
This can be a great response to an indefinite answer. Firstly, it provides you some time to think about how you’re going to handle the remark. Secondly, it also allows you to pay attention to more details about the issue questioned so that you can respond and answer in greater detail.
- “Great question. I’m just not familiar enough with the issue to hazard a guess. Let me connect you with…”
It is always better to explain that there is someone else who knows more about a problem rather than try to impress a person by answering the question with limited insights. This type of response will provide the person with more information and will also boost your professional profile as being a ‘connector’.
- “May I take a little more time to become informed about the matter?”
When you are not familiar with a subject, then it is fine to ask for some extra time. Just say frankly that you need more time to know more about the issue and acquire the accurate information needed.
- “Let’s have a quick brainstorm”
Brainstorming can be effective, even if your colleagues are asking you because they’re not acquainted with the issue. Brainstorming can give you more perspectives on a problem. And, besides creating more options for solutions, you also create a more collective ownership of the results among your group.
- “That’s a timely question! I’m currently gathering the information…”
This answer works well in situations where we need some time to catch up on and issue and what’s currently happening. Giving this answer will show that you care about the issue and are searching for accurate information.
- “I will need more information and research…”
Another variation of the earlier answers, this one also buys you valuable time for research while still letting the asker know you the issue is on your agenda.
