{"id":5103,"date":"2022-08-26T10:53:57","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T10:53:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/?p=5103"},"modified":"2026-03-03T16:46:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:46:31","slug":"say-i-dont-know-professionally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/say-i-dont-know-professionally\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say \u2018I Don\u2019t Know\u2019 Professionally\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unlike human ignorance, human knowledge is very limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how much of an expert you are, it\u2019s inevitable that there will be times when you don\u2019t know something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s normal \u2014 it happens to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We may even go down the Socratic path and say the only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in a professional setting, many people find saying \u2018I don\u2019t know<\/em>\u2019 embarrassing.
There\u2019s not only a fear of leaving a bad impression, but also a worry that they will be ridiculed or not taken seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel the same, this article is for you. We\u2019ll learn how to say \u2018I don\u2019t know\u2019 while still appearing smart and professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just follow our 6 simple tips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n Free team communication app<\/span>\n

Improve collaboration and cut down on emails by moving your team communication to Pumble.<\/p>\n\n

\n Sign up<\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \n \"Illustration\"\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n

Tip #1: Don\u2019t pretend to know something you don\u2019t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you don\u2019t know something, the first instinct is often to pretend that you do, in an attempt to avoid embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try to fight that urge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because, paradoxically, that can lead to much more embarrassment down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If others figure out you actually have no idea what you\u2019re talking about (which is not hard when someone is familiar with the topic), they won\u2019t have a high opinion of your personality and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, admit you don\u2019t have the information they\u2019re looking for \u2014 using one of the phrases you\u2019ll find in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip #2: Be confident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Declaring that you don\u2019t know something is not a comfortable experience, but you have to appear confident nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking nervous and self-conscious makes others think you\u2019re incompetent  \u2014 even if everything you\u2019re saying is correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, a University of Melbourne research published in Science Daily<\/a> found that self-confidence is a key determinant of workplace success. A survey done by Indeed<\/a> came to the same conclusion, adding that 94% of respondents deem confidence \u201cimportant\u201d or \u201cvery important\u201d to completing daily work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we can see, confidence is crucial for navigating your professional life \u2014 especially professional communication<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what you\u2019re talking about, own it. Speak clearly, have open body language, and look people in the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, don\u2019t be too<\/em> confident \u2014 we don\u2019t want to wander into the area of the Dunning-Kruger effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect and why should we avoid it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Confident, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Don\u2019t know a lot about a certain subject \u2014 you may become the victim of the Dunning-Kruger effect.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s a cognitive bias that occurs when your lack of knowledge and\/or skills in a certain area causes you to overestimate your competence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, when people think they know a foreign language after learning it for one month.
    Another example is shown in     a study<\/a> where 42%<\/em> of the employees in one software engineering company thought they were in the company\u2019s top 5% performing employees.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    According to the Decision Lab<\/a>, individuals in the bottom 25% of any skill are typically the ones who overestimate themselves the most. They carry a \u201cdouble burden\u201d \u2014 being ignorant of the subject and being ignorant of their own ignorance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I don\u2019t think I need to go into detail about why you shouldn\u2019t overestimate your abilities and how it can backfire. Just as we discussed in Tip #1, it leaves a really bad impression on anyone who is knowledgeable about the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even though you should be confident in yourself and your abilities, you should also be self-aware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To combat this effect, it\u2019s important to be open to constructive criticism and challenge your knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip #3: Say you don\u2019t have that information \u2014 yet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We\u2019ve covered the basics, so let\u2019s get into the actual phrases you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to do when your manager or coworker asks you something you\u2019re not sure about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The first option is to let them know you don\u2019t have the information they\u2019re looking for \u2014 yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    That is understandable.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Granted, there are some people who have numerous facts at the top of their minds available at all times like they\u2019re a human encyclopedia. But, after a few stressful meetings and too much caffeine you\u2019re probably not one of them \u2014 and neither is the person you\u2019re talking with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Saying something like this will do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI\u2019m not sure \u2014 I have to check and I\u2019ll get back to you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cExcellent question! I\u2019ll look into it and let you know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI currently don\u2019t have that information, but I\u2019ll update you as soon as I get it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cMy team is currently finalizing the project, so I should have the answer by tomorrow.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cLet me check \u2014 I want to make sure I give you accurate information.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI would need to consult my team\/a coworker\/higher authority.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cGreat question \u2014 I would need to reflect on this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI can’t remember off the top of my head \u2014 I’ll have to check that out and let you know.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udd38 Why does this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Using one of these phrases will give you time to find the information you need, while still keeping a professional demeanor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Of course, don\u2019t forget to get back to them when you find an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you disappear and don\u2019t contact them again, results may vary. <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"An
    An example of letting someone know you don’t have the information they’re looking for yet in Pumble, a business messaging app by CAKE.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Pumble makes information sharing simple<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tip #4: Direct them to an expert on the topic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some things are just out of your expertise. Or, you can even be asked about data you\u2019re not authorized to access or share.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In that case, the best thing you can do is let them know who they can ask for help<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you have a question, it\u2019s best to hear the answer directly from an expert, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can say something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI\u2019m not sure, it\u2019s better to ask Mark from Finances. He\u2019s been working here for 7 years and he knows the answer to every question you might have.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cTo my understanding, this is how it works. But, Jane from Marketing can probably tell you much more, she\u2019s really skilled in SEO.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThat\u2019s not my area of expertise, but I can ask Kevin from Sales.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI don\u2019t have access to that information, but I would be happy to find you someone that can help.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cMy analytics show ________, but Anna can tell you the exact numbers.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udd38 Why does this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With this approach, you essentially kill two birds with one stone \u2014 you seem helpful but you don\u2019t have to actually do the work.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"An
    An example of directing someone to an expert on the topic in Pumble, a business messaging app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Tip #5: Say you need more information to give them the right answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some topics are more complex than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In such cases, answering questions is not as straightforward as \u201cYes<\/em>\u201d, \u201cNo<\/em>\u201d, or \u201cOur budget for this month is [amount of money].\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You would need further context or additional details to be able to answer properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This gives you an opportunity to avoid answering on the spot and have more time to think\/research \u2014 in the name of being responsible and wanting to be as accurate as possible, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Say something along these lines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cCould you share more about what you\u2019re interested in\/looking for, so I can give you the right answer?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThat requires a bit more research first. What questions are the most important to you, so I know what to pay attention to the most?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThere are several possible answers, I\u2019ll need more information first.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udd38 Why does this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Just as in Tip #3, using one of these phrases essentially buys you time to find out the answer. This is perfect for subjects that are more complicated, require a more detailed explanation, or have more nuances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s important to note that this approach works when you need to double-check or brush up on a thing or two, not when you know nothing about the subject.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"An
    An example of telling someone you need more information to give them the right answer in Pumble, a business messaging app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Tip #6: Admit you\u2019re wondering the same thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    As the famous saying goes \u2014 if you can\u2019t beat them, join them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Say you\u2019ve been wondering the same thing and you\u2019re looking for an answer too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can word it like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI\u2019ve been wondering the same thing! I\u2019ll look up the answer and get back to you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cGreat question, I\u2019ve been asking the same thing. Hope we\u2019ll find out.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThis interests me too \u2014 if I find the answer, I\u2019ll share it with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udd38 Why does this work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By doing this, you take the pressure off yourself \u2014 you\u2019re now someone who asks a question, not the one who provides an answer. You and the other person are now a \u201cteam\u201d \u2014 and if you play your cards right, they may even give the answer to you<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, if you want extra points, be the one who looks it up and gives the information to them.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"An
    An example of admitting you’re wondering the same thing in Pumble, a business messaging app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
    \n All-in-one digital HQ<\/span>\n

    A communication app for teams of all kinds. Discuss, share, and collaborate.<\/p>\n\n

    \n Solutions<\/a>\n\n Register<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n \n \n \"Illustration\"\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n

    Conclusion: Be honest, but sound professional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you find yourself in a situation where you don\u2019t know something you feel you should, resist the urge to act more knowledgeable than you actually are \u2014 others will probably see right through you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Instead, you can either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n