Several years ago, I spoke to the 9th and 10th grade classes at my son’s then-high school, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, MD. I helped them kick off the school year with some thoughts about how to be successful. One of my points was to be proactive and avoid the phrase “I don’t know.”
That’s a favorite among teens and even some adults. There are two reasons why people use it:
- They simply don’t know.
- They don’t know what else to say so it’s a defensive sidetrack or a space-filler.
Neither reason is acceptable. Here are some reasons why (and suggestions for) this phrase should be removed from your vocabulary.
If you don’t know (and really don’t)…
- Find the answer. Leaders find the answer. Followers stand around like a dummy and do nothing. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just better to find the answer!
- At least LOOK for the answer. By showing you’re making the effort, it at least elevates you closer to the category of leader.
- Find someone who knows the answer. Your network is your show of strength. By at least being connected to people who know answers immediately associates you more with leaders than followers.
- Start priming yourself to know more answers. You’ll be amazed at how much more you’ll know when you take time to read. Be up to speed on current events. Regularly read about your field of expertise. Your brain is a muscle as well as an organ. Feed it and work it out.
- Figure out what you don’t know and fix it or your boss will get rid of you and find someone who DOES know!
If you just don’t know what to say…
Then keep your mouth shut. Sometimes silence is golden. In fact, Solomon (the guy from the Bible who was the wisest man in the world) said:
“After all, even fools may be thought wise and intelligent if they stay quiet and keep their mouths shut.” – Proverbs 17:28
Hopefully those students who are now young adults are using “I Don’t Know” sparingly. If so, they’ll find much more success at school and in life.
Might be a good thing for all of us to focus on this week. I’m in. Are you?